Julia Lennon: How Did John Lennon’s Mother Die?

Julia Lennon was the mother of John Winston Lennon of the Beatles. Julia’s son John was an English singer, songwriter, musician, and peace activist. He enjoyed success with the Beatles and in his solo career and was even inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, one as a member of the Beatles and the other as a solo artist. He served as the author of In His Own Write, A Spaniard in the Works, and Skywriting by Word of Mouth.

Julia Lennon: Bio Summary

Who Was John Lennon’s Mother, Julia Lennon?

Julia Lennon was born Julia Stanley on 12 March 1914, in Toxteth, Metropolitan Borough of Liverpool, Merseyside, England to George Ernest Stanley and Annie Jane Stanley (née Millward). Her father George retired from the Merchant Navy and worked as an insurance investigator with the Liverpool & Glasgow Salvage Association.

Julia was the fourth of five sisters. Her siblings are Mimi Smith, Anne Stanley, Harriet Stanley, and Elizabeth Stanley. Her family moved to the suburb of Wavertree, where they lived in a small terraced house at 9 Newcastle Road near Penny Lane. After her mother passed away, she and her sister Mimi Smith took care of their father.

Julia Lennon was married to Alfred Lennon aka “Alf”. She and Alf met for the first time at the Trocadero club, but they didn’t speak to each other. They met again in Sefton Park, and this time around they got to speak to each other. The two hit it off after a friendly conversation. Julia and Alf both play the ukulele, the piano accordion, and the banjo but neither pursued music professionally.

Julia Lennon was so much in love with Alf to the extent that, she proposed to him. They got married on 3 December 1938, in the Bolton Street Registry office, 11 years after they first met. She married Alf against her father’s wishes. Her family did not attend the wedding so Alf’s brother Sydney acted as a witness.

On the marriage certificate, Julia stated that she was a ‘cinema usherette’, which was a lie as she had never been one. Julia and her husband Alf spent their honeymoon eating at Reece’s restaurant in Clayton Square and at a cinema. After she married Alf, she said to her family, “There!—I’ve married him.” Her father said that Alf was “certainly not middle class.”

ALSO, READ: Alfred Lennon: What Happened To John Lennon’s Father?

The then newly wedded, Julia and Alf did not spend their wedding night together because Julia stayed at her parents’ house while Alf spent the night at his boarding house. Alf worked as an office boy, bellboy, steward, merchant seaman, kitchen porter, dishwasher, and singer. He was known as being always quick with a joke or a witty line but never held a job for any length of time.

Julia and Alf’s son John Winston Lennon (9 October 1940 – 8 December 1980) was born in Liverpool, England. Alf was at sea at the time his son was born. Alf saw his son after he returned from working as a merchant seaman on troop transports during World War II. Alf was often away from home but he sent his family money. The money stopped coming when Alf went absent without leave.

While Alf was away, Julia became pregnant with another man. Alf eventually came home and offered to look after Julia, their child John, and the expected baby, but Julia rejected the idea. Julia’s sister Mimi Smith complained to Liverpool’s Social Services twice. She complain that Julia’s son John who was a child at the time, shared the same bed with Julia and her lover John “Bobby” Dykins.

Julia gave her sister custody of her son John. Julia reportedly gave birth to a daughter, Victoria Elizabeth on June 19, 1945, but the child was placed for adoption. Her adoptive name is Ingrid Pedersen. She was adopted by Peder and Margaret Pedersen and was never seen or heard from. Julia was also the mother of two daughters from her relationship with Bobby Dykins.

Their daughters are Julia (later Julia Baird – b. 5 March 1947) and Jacqueline (“Jackie” – b. 26 October 1949). Julia was never divorced from Alfred Lennon. She lived as the common-law wife of Bobby Dykins. Although Julia and her son John lived apart, they maintained a close relationship. Julia taught John how to play the banjo and ukulele.

ALSO, READ: David Henry Lennon: Facts About John Lennon’s Brother

How Did John Lennon’s Mother Die?

Julia Lennon died on 15 July 1958, at age 44, in Liverpool, England after she was knocked down and killed by a car driven by an off-duty policeman. Her son John Lennon wrote three songs in honor of his mother: “Julia,” which appeared on The Beatles’ 1968 “White Album,” as well as “My Mummy’s Dead” and “Mother,” both of which were released during his solo career. Julia was buried in Allerton Cemetery, in Liverpool.