Julia Grace Drinan, 17

SUFFIELD, Conn. — Julia Grace Drinan, 17, of Suffield, Conn., passed away on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in Suffield. 

She was born in Springfield, Ma., on March 11, 2000, daughter of Richard M. and Mary A. (Brown) Drinan. She attended schools in Connecticut, and was currently a student at both Suffield High School and the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts. 

Julia was an accomplished and talented artist in many art media, including drawing and painting. She was awarded the 2017 Gold Key Award from the Connecticut Art Education Association for Excellence in Visual Arts. She was an Honor Student and was recently inducted into the Spanish National Honor Society. 

Julia also enjoyed dancing, music and attending concerts. She was civic minded and passionate about everyone being treated with respect. 

Julia is survived by her parents, Richard and Mary Drinan; her brother, Nathan, and her sister, Nicole; her maternal grandmother, Alice Brown of Cheshire; her aunts and uncles, including Debbie Roberts, Melody Drinan, Kathleen Danis, Arlene Brown, Gary Brown and Eric Brown; many cousins; and several very close friends. 

She was predeceased by her paternal grandparents, Arthur R. and Dorothy C. Drinan; and by her maternal grandfather, William L. Brown. 

Funeral notice: A memorial gathering to celebrate Julia's life and art will be held on Tuesday, May 30, 2017, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Suffield High School, 1060 Sheldon St. West Suffield, Conn., 06093. All are welcome to attend. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 31, 2017, at noon in the Paciorek Funeral Home, 13 Hoosac St. Adams, MA 01220. Rev. Michael Mullany, Pastor of the First Congregational Church of Adams will officiate. 

Burial will follow in Cheshire Cemetery, Cheshire, Mass. A calling hour will be held on Wednesday from 11 a.m. until the service, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations honoring Julia may be made to The Art for Life Foundation, PO Box 162, Clayton, Calif., 94517, or at www.artforlife.org.