Julia A. Hyman

Julia Ann Hyman passed away peacefully on June 16th, 2025 in her beloved town of Venice, Florida. She was 96.

Born February 5, 1929 in Mount Vernon, New York to Sylvia and Herman Gaines, Julia was a dynamic sculptor, business woman, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and wife of the love of her life, renowned jazz musician, Dick Hyman.

After studying at Parsons School of Design in NYC in the late 1940s, Julia worked for Terrytoons, an animation studio in New Rochelle, NY, hand drawing Mighty Mouse cartoons. The visual and creative talent that made her successful in animation ultimately led to a career in interior design and renovation. Julia loved old houses and from this passion developed a business renovating homes and investing in real estate. She was drawn to the historically significant houses in and near Tenafly and Montclair, New Jersey, where she and Dick raised their family.

After living in NJ for 14 years, Julia and Dick moved to a townhouse in the West Village in NYC, which she renovated. It was while living there that Julia met her lifelong friend and business partner, the late Jean Gollay. Together they invested in and renovated many homes in the then sleepy, little town of Sag Harbor, Long Island. Julia and Jean can be credited with making major contributions to the stunning revival of that town.

Also during that period, Julia studied sculpture at the Art Students League in NYC under artist José Mariano de Creeft. This began her career as a sculptor, which she continued to pursue for the rest of her life.

In 1989, Julia and Dick fell in love with the charming town of Venice, FL where they bought and renovated a beautiful and unique mid-century house on the island. This is where she and Dick lived till the end of her life, eventually buying another house across the street which became her sculpture studio.

Julia and Dick’s lives became fully centered on their new home and town, which Julia loved to describe as “Paradise”. Some of her sculptures can be enjoyed at the Venice Art Center, where Julia was a cherished contributor and exhibitor.

Our extraordinary Julia is survived by her husband, Dick Hyman (married 77 years); 3 children: Judy (and husband Jeff Claus), Beth, and David (and wife Pilar); 3 grandchildren: Adam, Avigdor, and Claudia, and 2 great-grandchildren: Yitzchok Aryeh and Sarah.

A memorial service is planned for later this year at the Venice Arts Center. All who are interested in being notified of the date, which is yet to be determined, should email: [email protected]