Hi Everyone,

We wanted to share this interview with you that she conducted through Hope for Stomach Cancer. Listen to her inspiring story and learn about how hard she fought for her "one mores."

<3, Steven, Kimi, Kiyo, Emi, & Mia

Julia set the bar high for the rest of us through her work ethic, her mastery of volunteering, her selflessness, her kindness and her contagious smile, her love for baking and sharing, her talent for photography, and most of all by how deeply she loved her family, her puppies & her friends.  I think we all can agree she lived life to the fullest, something I'm sure she'd encourage all of us to do.

My favorite memory of Julia was during 5th grade camp in Aptos, CA.  She was essential and relentless in organizing the fundraising efforts that allowed our children to go to camp.  She and I chaperoned at camp and ended up being assigned to the same bunkhouse with approximately twenty 5th grade girls.  Julia never warned us that her phone alarm would be  at maximum volume and  that it would jolt us straight out of bed.  After the initial shock of a blaring panic alarm sound rattling the entire sleeping quarters, we all laughed at the incident. We were prepared the next two days for Julia's alarm. 

Rest In Peace, beautiful kind soul. You will be missed. Thank you for inspiring us all as we watched you thrive through good times and tough times.  Your legacy will touch the lives of many for generations to come. 

I met Julia many years ago at the back to school registration at the elementary school where our kids attended. It wasn't very organized that year and she and I were next to each other in a long line. For that hour of waiting, we talked about all kinds of stuff and got to know each other. Throughout the next few years while her twins and my youngest son continued through their years there, we were involved in PTA functions and get togethers and it was clear from the beginning that she was just an amazing woman, mom and friend. Her baking skills were absolutely top notch, but her smile was always the thing that struck me the most. It was like it was lit up by the sun itself. We lived about a mile away from each other, and one night she sent me a text and said she was bringing something over for me. She showed up with the most amazing loaf of pumpkin chocolate chip bread, still warm from the oven!! One of my other favorite memories of Julia was her absolute WARRIOR mentality and her absolute refusal to put up with anybody's nonsense. We had some very fun and lively conversations about things for which we just had no patience whatsoever!!

I'm so sorry for your loss, I know your whole family has been through so much and have just a huge hole to fill right now, but Julia is surely up in heaven now and has each of you in her heart and there you will stay forever. I know your hearts are feeling broken but know that you will all be whole again and the millions of memories will live forever on.2010

My deepest condolences to Julia's family and friends. Countless years after attending high school together, Julia and I reconnected on Facebook (I guess Zuckerberg did do something good…). 

When she passed came to Phoenix several years ago for business, we met up for lunch. It was like no time had passed at all. Julia and I immediately dove deep into conversation, laughing, reminiscing, eating (lavishly!) and catching up on the many ways our lives have changed. And oh, how they changed. But Julia was still the same, delightful person I remembered. 

Smart, forthright, funny, kind, and fierce: I instantly remembered why I was always SO thankful to meet Julia in my honors classes. I was the awkward new kid at Del Campo, trying to break out of my previous sheltered life in a private school hellscape. 

Let’s face it, friendships at that age can be … erm … complex. But Julia friend who made it easy. She infinitely brightened that time in my life: Always accepting. Drama-free. Honest. Loyal. Uncomplicated. And so, sooooo fun. 

She is a vivacious, bold, wonderful warrior spirit that will continue to shine in so many of us. And I will continue to cherish her friendship. Always. 

I miss you, friend. 💔