Meet Julie Sandor — a neighbor whose life has been shaped by resilience, adventure, and a heart that’s always open.

Julie joined Renaissance Senior Living of Hilldale nearly ten months ago, and anyone who’s spent even a little time with her knows she brings warmth everywhere she goes. She grew up in Hungary during the Soviet era, a time she still describes as “truly unimaginable.” Her father, once a Colonel General in the Air Force, was considered “undesirable” by the government, and the family lived under the constant threat of intrusion. One night, Julie remembers, armed men stormed into their home—no explanation, just fear. Not long after, while her father was on vacation, he was arrested and sent to a Russian prison camp, despite having all the right papers.

Through it all, Julie’s parents encouraged her to find joy and discipline where she could. At eight years old, she took up swimming—falling in love with the water, joining her high school team, and making a name for herself. She also enjoyed downhill skiing and gliding across an ice-skating rink. But no matter how hard she worked in school, the doors to higher education stayed closed to her in Hungary.

At sixteen, Julie’s family finally had the opportunity to leave Hungary for Austria, where they moved in with her grandmother. To do this, they had to give up their Hungarian citizenship—a heartbreaking choice that meant they could never return home. “We were all labeled undesirable,” Julie recalls, with a mix of sadness and pride at how far they’ve come.

Once in Austria, Julie worked as a waitress for two years while adjusting to her new life. Meanwhile, her brother had moved to America for college and quickly made a name for himself as a mechanical engineering professor at the University of Wisconsin. Inspired by his example, Julie decided to take her own leap and follow him to the United States.

She arrived not knowing a word of English. Her brother set her a challenge: learn 100 new words a day. Ambitious? Absolutely. But Julie managed it—within a year, she was reading, writing, and speaking English. She then attended Drew University in New Jersey, mastering multiple languages and graduating in just three years.

Her next adventure was a 30-year career with the Department of Labor in Trenton, New Jersey, which meant a 67-mile commute each day. It was no small feat, but Julie says she loved her work and the people she met along the way. Somewhere in those busy years, she also discovered her love for dogs, especially her loyal poodle, Foxy.

Last November, Julie made a new home here in Madison to be closer to her brother and niece. She’s embraced life here with her trademark optimism and curiosity. Ask anyone, and they’ll tell you: stop by for a chat, and Julie will greet you with a story and a smile.