Obituary: Juliette J.A. Reilly, 91, Interred in German Work Camp then Translated for American Troops

Juliette J. A.(Pickard) Reilly, 91, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 30, 2015. She was the wife of the late Joseph E. Reilly.

Born in Schwebsingen, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on the ninth day of August 1924, she was the daughter of the late Jean and Anne (Berens) Pickard.

Juliette was educated in the Luxembourg school system. Her young life was forever changed by World War II. She was just a teenager when the war broke out and lived through its many horrors. She was interred for 3 years in a German work camp. Upon her release, she returned to her village (Leudelange). Because she spoke 4 languages including English, she became a translator for the American troops.

It was during this time that she met the love of her life. In 1946, they were married. As an Army wife, she lived in Germany and Fort Knox, Kentucky. Upon her husband’s retirement from the Army, they moved to her husband’s home state of Rhode Island.

As a result of her experiences, Juliette fascinated many by her recollection of World War II. She was a Charter Member of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. and a member of the Association for the Battle of the Bulge.

Juliette was a life-long homemaker. She loved to cook and garden. She had a passion for reading especially books pertaining to the Battle of the Bulge.

She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph E. Reilly and her son John J. Reilly. Juliette is survived by her daughter, Anne (Reilly) Hazard and her husband David, of Lisbon, Maine and her daughter-in-law, Karen Enos Reilly of Colorado. Also surviving her are 4 grandchildren: Retired Gunnery Sgt. Jason D. Hazard (USMC) of Florida; and Kimberly (Hazard) Johnson of New Hampshire; Capt. William Reilly of Colorado; James Reilly of Coventry, Rhode Island; Juliette also has 10 great grandchildren.

Funeral Friday September 4th at 8:45 am from the Hill Funeral Home, 822 Main St., E. Greenwich with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at St. Vincent de Paul Church, St. Vincent de Paul St., Coventry. She will be laid to rest with her “soldier husband” of 35 years at the RI Veterans Cemetery, Exeter. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.