The news hit Tampa like a physical blow. When word started spreading about the Julie Tingley Tampa obituary, people honestly didn’t want to believe it. How could someone who seemed to have infinite energy—someone who was basically the glue for so many local women entrepreneurs—just be gone?
Julie Marie Tingley (Bressett) passed away unexpectedly on April 6, 2025. She was only 44. It’s one of those tragedies that makes you pause and realize how much one person can actually do in four decades. She wasn’t just a "businesswoman." She was a force. If you’ve spent any time in the Tampa professional scene or picked up a copy of Tampa Bay Parenting, you’ve seen her work.
The Woman Behind the "KNOW" Movement
You know those people who just seem to know everyone? That was Julie. But she didn't just network for the sake of it. She did it to lift people up. After leaving a high-pressure career in medical sales, she hit a wall. She faced rejection while trying to re-enter the workforce after focusing on her daughters.
Instead of getting bitter, she got busy.
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She launched KNOW Tampa and KNOW St. Pete. The idea was simple but huge: feature successful women in a book to inspire others. She basically created a "tribe" before that word became a marketing cliché. By 2018, she had built a community of over 400 women in business. It wasn't about competition; it was about "having each other's back."
Wee Macree and Her Heart for Kids
While business was her engine, children were her heart. Julie founded Wee Macree, a "give-back collective." It wasn't just a clothing brand. It was a way to teach kids about philanthropy. She designed t-shirts where 40% of the proceeds went directly to nonprofits supporting children.
She often talked about how she wanted her daughters, Ella Grace and Kate Elizabeth, to see that they had the power to change the world. She didn't just tell them; she showed them.
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- Philanthropy: She sat on numerous boards and committees.
- Writing: She was a regular contributor to Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine.
- Mentorship: She coached dozens of "mamaprenistas" trying to balance it all.
A Legacy That Isn't Just "Professional"
If you read the guestbook on her official obituary from Haisley Funeral Home, you see a pattern. People don't just talk about her business deals. They talk about her grace. They talk about her at Christ the King Catholic Church. They talk about her running, her fitness, and how she seemed to handle "super mom" duties with genuine energy, not the fake "Instagram version" of it.
She was a Vero Beach girl at heart—born there in 1980—but she became the soul of Tampa.
Her husband, Ken Tingley, and her two girls are now navigating a world without that light. The community held a memorial service on April 28, 2025, at Christ the King Church. It was packed. You could tell by the sheer number of flowers and the stories shared that her impact didn't stop when her business hours did.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Her Impact
Sometimes when an "obituary" goes viral, people look for a scandal or a specific "cause." But with Julie, the story is actually much deeper. The shock came because she was the picture of health and vitality.
The real story isn't about how she died, but how she lived in the "in-between" moments. She took the rejection of her early career and turned it into a ladder for others. She proved that you can be a powerhouse in the boardroom and a present, loving mother at the same time.
Moving Forward in Julie’s Honor
If you’re looking for a way to honor her memory, don't just post a "rest in peace" message. Do something. That’s what Julie would have done.
- Support a Local Woman-Owned Business: Julie spent years cataloging and promoting these women. Find a local maker or entrepreneur in Tampa and give them your business.
- Teach a Child About Giving: Whether it’s through an organization like Wee Macree or just a local charity, involve your kids in the process of helping others.
- Practice Mindful Community Building: Reach out to someone in your professional circle who is struggling. Offer that "tribe" support Julie was so famous for.
Julie Tingley’s life wasn't just a series of accomplishments; it was a blueprint for how to live with purpose. While her physical presence is gone, the "KNOW" community and the families helped by Wee Macree ensure that her name stays very much alive in the streets of Tampa.