Good-bye, Julie

Editor's Note: Julie Marks, a participant in Women's Recovery at the UGM Center for Women & Children in Coeur d'Alene, passed away last week due to complications from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD. She was much loved by both staff and fellow residents and will be terribly missed. Marsha Reese, the Coordinator of the Voc/Ed Center, wrote this letter to her family to describe the time she spent at UGM.

To our dear Julie’s family:

I have the privilege of helping our ladies in the vocational and educational arm of their programs. Every woman goes through the process of re-claiming basic academic skills en route to acquiring new skills and education that will support their career destinations.

Julie was such an accomplished woman in her own right, so going back to the basics was a little hard for her. I was impressed with her commitment to humble herself to do whatever it took to move toward healing. She was teachable and fun and respectful in the midst of uncomfortable situations. Not many women want to re-visit fractions or vocabulary! But Julie did all those things and more, and she trusted the process. 

In Phase 4, Julie had already finished the business preparation curriculum and was waiting to be placed in her practicum. We were considering a local marina as the place where she would do this volunteer work because of her experience in the resort management field and because Julie loved sailing. We thought this could be an ideal place for her to re-enter the workplace environment and give her some connections for full-time work after her program was finished.

Julie was the only woman at the UGM Center for Women & Children – staff or residents – who was a #1 “Mover.” “Mover” is one of the categories of communication styles we learn about and use extensively here. As we discover more about the styles of communication, we not only learn more about ourselves, but also about how to honor other people’s perspectives. As a “mover,” Julie was intense – in a good way – and a person who exhibited strong leadership qualities. Many of the women here at the Center looked to her for stability, wisdom and acceptance. Julie knew how to make a difference in other’s lives. I had no doubt that Julie was going to be successful once again.

Perhaps my best memories of Julie occurred after class. She frequently used the small family room outside of the VocEd Office to visit with other residents or to watch television. We spent a lot of quality time solving the world’s problems. More recently, we spent time talking about theology, specifically about how to go deeper with God, how to live a victorious and surrendered life, and how to love God more completely. Julie borrowed books from me on these subjects, and she was passionate to know and do more for God. It is so strange to try to wrap my brain around the fact that Julie is now – right now – sitting with Jesus, and her passion to know more is being fulfilled in the most sublime way.

Julie brought joy, love and friendship to my life in a way that transcended our relationship of resident and staff member. Her smile lit up this place, and her encouragement was something that lifted my spirits continually. I’m so glad that God brought her here.