Julie Ann Leal, 49, lost her battle to melanoma on May 22, 2017, after a 10-year, courageous and valiant fight.
Born March 31, 1968, in Usingen Germany, Julie grew up a true "California Girl" in Long Beach and Cerritos, California, and currently resided in Henderson Nevada. She is survived by the "loves of her life" her husband, David Leal, their twin sons Marcus and Daniel, and her parents, Ronald and Ingrid Humphrey.
Julie had many passions, none more important to her than her beloved family. Family was everything to Julie and she cherished the time she spent with David, Marcus and Daniel doing things like hiking, camping, cooking and being a football mom.
She also enjoyed reading, writing, dance, music and just having family time at home.
Julie knew from an early age that her calling was to be a teacher. During her 20+ year career, she helped thousands of students realize their potential and reach their dreams through her dedication and professionalism. She was a truly gifted educator and a special member of the teaching community. Her patience, compassion, work ethic and genuine love for helping and inspiring children made her a natural in the classroom.
Her passion for wanting to make a difference in people's lives led her to teaching and she earned an undergraduate degree from California State University, Long Beach in Psychology and a master's degree in Education from University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She also continued to advance her education while teaching, earning many certifications, awards and accolades throughout her career.
Julie leaves behind countless friends, colleagues, nieces, nephews, cousins, former students and so many others who were touched by her light, optimism, joy and kindness. While our hearts are beyond broken at our immeasurable loss, we know the legacy she leaves behind will carry us through the difficult times.
We would like to express our appreciation for the many family, friends, colleagues and even strangers who have shown such generosity during her battle, giving so freely of their time, donations, words of encouragement and more. We also wish to thank the doctors, nurses, therapists and medical support staff who helped us through these trying times. Special thanks to Dr. Hutch.
We invite you to share your thoughts of Julie here on this blog - whether it's a special memory, a recollection of a time you spent together, a favorite song or story you shared, or anything you would like her family and loved ones to know. We are comforted by your words and thoughts and know they will continue to bring us peace in the challenging days ahead.
For those asking how they may help the family, continued contributions to "Julie Leal's Fight Against Cancer" Go Fund Me page are welcomed and appreciated, and will be used for outstanding medical, household and other related expenses. You can donate at:https://www.gofundme.com/julie-leals-fight-against-cancer
Thank you ...
Tributes
Leave a tributeLove always me and the boys.
Miss u so much ☮️✝️
Sheila
Whatever his reason I m sure your are filling and important role with much peace.☮️☮️☮️
With much love until we all meet again
✝️✝️
It's so true. I think of you every day. Your smile was Infectious. I will never forget all the things you did for me and the homemade cake you and the boys made for Albert. I love you and miss you every day! Cass
How I wish she was here today so we could celebrate her birthday. She will live on in Dave, Marcus and Daniel's hearts forever with memories that will never fade.
Happy Birthday in Heaven Julie.
I had custody of my great niece for three years, and I loved running into Julie at the learning center her boys and my niece attended. She gave me some excellent advice about parenting. This was priceless to me since I had never raise any children of my own!
We were sad when Julie moved to Nevada, yet we knew that she would continue to shine and bring love and joy to all who knew her. I remember when I thought seriously about moving to Nevada. Without even asking her to help me in my job search, she jumped in, gave me names of people to contact and she offered to help me. I decided to stay where I was because my dad's health was not as great as it should have been at that time. I remember Julie telling me that family was the most important thing in the world and that she appreciated my decision to stay near my family. This event happened soon after her family had relocated to NV. She shared her joy and excitement about her parents being near her and how much her boys loved having them close! Julie always had a welcome mat for any of her Txas friends desiring a visit to her home and to NV.
All in all Julie was a lovely person with a heart bigger than the Universe. She was unselfish and generous. She was the best mother and wife in the planet all the while giving her students th BEST EDUCATION possible. I am so blessed and grateful to have known this Earth Angel. Each of us should strive to model our lives after Julie's. The world be a perfect place if we had more "Julie-minded" people. I send love and comforting light to Julie's family and friends.
She was always smiling, positive and loved her 3 boys. Being a mom was her life dream and she did it well! We had a couple of medical things in common, so I was really drawn to her as she was great support for current things and good to talk to about past things.
I regret that we didn't get together more after the soccer seasons were over. I was in contact via FB and talked to her when I had "teacher/school" frustrations w/ our school and she was always there to give me advice.
I loved hearing about and seeing the family vacations and outings they did. They were truly quality family time. Seal Beach will always remind me of her.
A couple of funny moments:
During one of our soccer games when her and Dave were the coaches, they were both out on the field coaching during a game. I think the other coached complained that we had two coaches out there. The other coach was not nearly as positive as the Leal Dual and I think he was just jealous. He made the ref kick Julie off the field. I don't remember exactly what she said as she took the sideline with the parents, but it was funny. Seeing her 'upset' was not normal and she handled herself well and with humor.
I remember as we were at the year end party and the parents were sharing stories about our parents. Her story about how her mom and dad called while her and Dave were out at a casino having a night out and was scolded like a teenager for not being home. I, of course, cannot tell it nearly as funny and animated as she did, but we all had a good laugh.
We all know what an amazing person she was and loved by so many as she loved so many. A great loss to those of us on earth. I know she is up there watching over all her family and friends and I will see her again.
Julie, you were so kind hearted and had an amazing spirit and soul...gone too soon. Rest in Peace
Jayden got 18 out of 27 votes for the Principals Award.
Which means 18 of his classmates voted him the best boy of his class.
All of the students were asked to write a letter individually on why they picked the best boy for the class. As we read the letters out loud tonight, tears were in my eyes. He really is a great kid. One who is just filled with so much love, joy, kindness, leadership, brains, and he is pretty handsome too.
Look how far we have come. Jayden was diagnosed with High Functioning Autism before he was 3 years old. We were told he would not show emotion, care about others, give affection, the words used that will haunt me forever is "mild mental retardation" and "He will never be a leader"
Fast forward to 8 years later and look at our wonderful ray of sunshine.
I love that his peers recognize how amazing he is. We are so grateful that they see how incredible he is.
Julie had unwavering belief in Jayden. When a new obstacle came up she was the 1st to say he can do it. In January we had a meeting at school with Julie's encouragement to have him go 100% in the General Education Classroom. Our training wheels came off and we let him fly. When Julie got sick in February he lost his security blanket but he gained so much confidence before she got sick, she set him up for success and to soar.
From the sweet little boy that banged his head on tile floors at the age of 3 to the Best Boy at the age of 11 loved and voted on by his peers. Look how far he has come. He has worked so hard and it is in thanks to Julie. Julie was Jayden's 2nd Mom as she was to all of her students. She has changed all of our lives. Thank you for everything. We are beyond grateful.
We love you Julie ❤️
She was trying so hard to have children. We were so happy when she announced she was pregnant with twins. She loved her babies so much.
You can shed tears that she is gone
or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left.
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her and only that she’s gone
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn your back
or you can do what she’d want:
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
David Harkins, © 1981
Silloth, Cumbria, UK
Poetic Expressions
This beautiful poem is so comforting to me so I hope it will be to Julie's parents ,husband ,children & many friends & family members.
Praying for strength and understanding ~ ❤️
Although our encounters were brief, they are certainly memorable. She left an indelible impression upon children and adults alike. I hope I can be half the teacher, friend, mommy and human being that she was. David, Marcus and Daniel....you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Enjoy Earthsong
https://youtu.be/XAi3VTSdTxU
Leave a Tribute
3rd Anniversary
Thinking of you and your family today
Julie,
I still have your 'program' for your celebration of life and look at it almost everyday as it's right next the the TV in my bedroom (LOL).... I think of your family and the great loss they suffered and also ALL the great times they had with you.
Wishing all of you peace.
Cindy Lowman
Happy Birthday 51 today
Happy birthday Julie, me and the boys will be thinking of you and celebrating your special day. Cake and sharing stories with laughter will be part of our day today. Love you always and forever.