Thinking of my dear Sister on this day and always...You left us two years ago today Julia, "and nothing more will be the same again".

I got married in May of 2012. In February of 2012 my now husband had a work accident and ended up with a brain injury. I was under a huge amount of stress and was having a very hard time. Aunt Julie and Grandma came to help decorate for the wedding and it was obvious how stressed I was (bridezilla to the extreme) Aunt Julie pulled me aside and I was totally expecting her to tell me to chill out but instead she told me everything was fine. She said she knew I loved Dave but if I was too stressed out then “let’s just have a great party instead” she was the first person in my life to tell me it would be okay not to get married at the time. That not marrying him right then wouldn’t make me a bad person. I married him and we have been married for almost 9 years now but it was nice to have someone tell me it would be okay if I didn’t.

Julia taught me about communications. She was my first boss, in 1997, when she took me under her wings at Price Public Relations after I had graduated from college and had zero experience. She taught me the art of communication, the art of negotiation and the power of celebrating. She gave me the greatest foundation for public relations and communication in the six years I worked for her. We would end each week with wine and cheese and a simple acknowledgment for what we had all achieved together. She invited me into her home to stay with her once I had moved away. We would watch old movies and drink wine, and just chat about life. She taught me how to make pasta carbonara because she was so proud of learning how to cook Italian food on a trip to Italy. She shared how much she adored Tom Petty :)

Julia taught me about grace. She had the most beautiful smile that lit up the room. She dressed to the nines and skirted around the city in her old Porsche 911. She was a beautiful woman but inspired you more with her brilliance (she was incredibly brilliant) and kindness. Julia supported me when I went through cancer and never stopped being there for me.

Julia adored her family and friends. I felt like I knew her siblings, nieces and nephews from all the stories she would share. I always looked forward to meeting her mom at our agency holiday lunches. Everyone that became part of her orbit felt like family.

I love you Julia! May you light up the stars in heaven with your beautiful smile and brilliance. Always.

Ju-Price-Tag Memory-
When my mom died, Julie walked right over after the memorial service and stated
"I'm going to call you now, Sara". Julie was having these terrific conversations with my mom for a few years and now it was my turn. I admit that when I saw her name pop up on my phone, I would temporarily ignore it. Not because I didn't want to talk but because it would mean a 1 (possible 2) hour commitment. In preparation, I would get a pot of coffee going (or a bottle of wine depending on the time of day :) and dial her number. I loved these times! We would catch up about our families but it would always revert back to the good old Los Altos days.

Ju-Price-Tag Memory-
We were probably in our late teens. Julie and I walked over to a party to check out the scene. We didn't really know anyone, so I was ready to go home. Looking for Julie I caught a glimpse of her KISSING A BOY! I promptly asked here (walking back home) "who was that? Did you know him?"
She replied cooly "No, I didn't know him. I just need practice kissing"
So cool Julie, so cool.

Ju-Price-Tag Memory- Julie would always pop over to my house (once the gate was built that joined our two houses). She would arrive unannounced as I was watching "Little Rascals" after school. Now, we were young and Julie was the constant "tag along". In other words, she could be a pain (no offense). The second I saw her coming, I would switch the channel to the News (gawd, I was mean). Julie would enter asking questions a mile a minute, glancing at the boring station I was watching. Then she announced "I'm bored. This isn't fun. I'm going home".  Ha! I thought I had won that battle and gotten rid of her, but looking back she won. Dang she was strong headed and confident even then.

Well, where do I start? Which memory do you choose after knowing someone for over 55 years? The previous posts have described our sweet Julie as generous, impeccable, tasteful, humorous, elegant, caring, creative which are, of course, all true but what I remember most of Julie is her confidence. 
I shall take Nancy's lead and write a memory as I remember. I will label these memories with "Ju-Price-Tag" because this is how I affectionately would call her. My heart is heavy as I remember Julie and tears stream down my face as I write. I sincerely hope Price family that your hearts are mending.

Hello,

My brother Martin (who married Monica Breitbart) found the notice of the anniversary of Julia's passing in the S.F. Chronicle recently and reached out to me. I'm so sorry I had no idea. I'd like to leave this memory. In my family, we were sometimes 18-months apart, sometimes a little closer in age; still, many of the kids felt the younger siblings could not associate with us. This was not the case with Julia. Though Nancy's younger sister, Julia was a great addition to all that we did back "in the day." She had a ready smile and her laugh was infectious. I was lucky to have known her. My wish for Julia and her family and friends is profound peace. Best, Cathy (Cathleen) Kirk

Memories of Julia #4: I am continuously reminded of your generosity and impeccable taste in clothes. Whenever I wear one of your beautiful "hand-me -down" outfits I always receive compliments. Better yet, when I wear an outfit, a portion of which you gave me, I only get compliments on that portion of the outfit!

Julia introduced me to my first Starbucks and my first latte. I had been a life long coffee drinker, but to get in a car and drive more than 5 minutes to a place devoted to the pleasure of coffee was new, and delightful. Julia enjoyed having common interests. This was why we bonded over basketball. She loved her Warriors! I remember one phone call when I dared suggest that one of the Warrior's made a shady play in a recent game, she immediately rose firmly to his defense. I found it sweet, and humorous. When the Warriors were knocked out of the play-offs by injuries, she vowed to root for the Lakers on my behalf. Julia, it worked!

One of my fondest memories of my Aunt Julie was when I was a little girl. I was visiting my grandmother for the week and Aunt Julie picked me up and took me to her house in San Francisco for the night. This was my first real big city experience and I was hooked! I remember sitting in her amazing sun room looking out onto the city and being absolutely delighted by the rows of parrots lining up on the telephone line to (in my imagination) say hi to me.

I have had several other lovely experiences at her house as an adult, when she hosted a bridal shower and baby shower for me. Each experience was like something out of a movie. Every detail was perfect. My aunt put her love into every event she did and that was seen in the planning and delivery of it. To this day I hope to be able to live up to the person she believed I was.

Julia and I were best friends in high school. I was one of the very few of us who went from Catholic grammar school into the wild world of public high school. She befriended me, but I don't recall when, and she and Nancy were like sisters to me. Julia's parents were my "second parents" and provided a safe place for me when the childhood I was living was hell. I am forever grateful to them for being normal parents. We spent so much time together shopping, sunbathing, swimming in her parent's pool and so many more things. Later in life, we became friends again and it was like no time had passed whatsoever. We talked on the phone daily. She was all but retired and I hoped she wasn't lonely. Our phone calls were comfort. Our parting was not anticipated and it has been sad ever since. We loved our kitties, and she even named one of mine after I described him to her. I'd just rescued two (after the other 7)... She suggested "Sundance", and I still have him and he's still dancing lightly at 17 on his crippled legs (from birth it seems). I loved that she loved her kitties, too. Madonna was one of her beloveds. To see the photos of her with a beautiful white long-haired kitty is fitting, as it is elegant, sleek, pure and innocent. I have missed my friend over these long years, but I hope she now knows that love never ends and I have never stopped loving her, my Scorpio best friend. I send my love and condolences to all of you family and friends of hers. I'm still in utter shock and tears... She left too soon. Visit me and let me know you're OK in your beautiful, colorful butterfly wings. So long for now - we will be together on the other side someday. Love never ends.

Julia, you are so missed. You were always so supportive and caring, we had some amazing times together! In high school, you gave me confidence to enjoy those sea scout dances, couldn’t have done it without you. And cal poly was a blast as we grew into adults together. We had some great times together over the years.

I miss you. I wish your family strength and support at this enormous loss.

I first met Julia as her brother's girlfriend, soon to be sister-in-law, in college. I was immediately impressed by her creativity and sense of style. That talent permeated her life, including her clothes, her cars, her career and her fabulous home.

As I grew to know Julia I came to see her talent was second to the depth of her sensitivity -- her generosity of time, money, love, and empathy.

During the last few years our friendship deepened and we shared frequent phone calls about basketball, cats, politics and more.

I miss you my friend.

Even though our relationship started off as one of business; it grew to one of friendship. Because I saw Julia on a weekly basis over a span of 24 years that allowed us to have many conversations about what was happening in our lives ; good or bad; our families , recipes , sports and love of animals. Julia’s love for her entire family was obvious even though the core of our conversations often revolved around her mom and what they might have planned but also about her niece Aly and nephew Connor whom she was so proud of. Julia also entrusted me to look after her rescued furry friends through the years whenever she traveled or was away from home. Although she loved them all Julia’s beloved “Ted” might have been her favorite and she knew she could leave him in my care and not have to worry about Ted. They were buddies!! Julia’s home was like a story book full of color, and everywhere you looked something of interest would catch your eye. While Julia was elegant , classy and graceful she also was very much down to earth and truly cared about people. Julia is missed very much and will always be remembered with great fondness!!

When my husband Craig underwent surgery early in the morning
at Kaiser Hospital in Oakland, my dear sister Julia got up before dawn and drove from her house in San Francisco to Oakland to keep us company. I will never forget her selflessness on this and many other occasions.

My Memories of Julia #3: Julia's sensitivity and concern for others was exemplified at an early age when I broke up with my 8th grade boyfriend and Julia cried.

My Memories of Julia #2: Very thankful for the many spring vacations in San Diego enjoyed with "Aunt Julia", Connor and Aly. The four of us experienced many wonderful adventures together in La Jolla at the Cove, Sea World and the beautiful La Valencia Hotel.

My Memories of Julia #1: Her visit to see me, while attending college, at Chico in May 1983. She arrived in her beautiful green Triumph Spitfire. She looked like a glamorous movie star. The heads of my male friends were still spinning long after she left!