"Life is no 'brief candle' to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for a moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations." -- George Bernard Shaw, from Julia's book of favorite quotations
On Tuesday, October 27, 1998, Julia was in a car accident and succumbed three days later on October 30, 1998. Julia was a passionate advocate of organ donation and her expressed wishes were honored, giving her the opportunity to give the gifts of life and sight to others.
Julia was a young woman of substance, and filled her life with activities. In addition to being a debater, she was the coxswain for a championship men's crew team, she was a competitive figure skater for five years, she played soccer for nine years, was on a swim team for three years, was in Girls Scouts for five years, played the flute for seven years, and was an altar server at her church for six years. At the time of the accident, she was a junior at The College Preparatory School in Oakland, California where she was on the debate team, did photography for the yearbook, and made many friends.
At Julia's service, Ryan Mills, her debate coach, said it well:
"It suddenly became so obvious to me that she was the one who had had it right all along. The importance of people, not things; your integrity, not your successes; your contribution, not your awards."
"Purple is the only color scientifically proven to spark endorphins."
- Julia Burke