Juli Wilcox passing

It is with heavy heart that I share this.

My dear friend Juli Wilcox passed away at 4:58 pm today. She was surrounded by people who loved her, and while choosing to do so on her time, it was very peaceful at the end.

The Remembrance Gathering will be at Opsahk-Kostel Funeral Home in Yankton SD, probably on Tuesday July 19th, at 12:30.  (Details could change.) More will be posted tomorrow.

Juli had a single lung transplant in March 2009 and was not able to get around much since then without some trouble. She had kidney failure last June and was put on dialysis, and then radiation treatment in November for cancer in her jaw.  Between the radiation treatment and another jaw issue, she had a very difficult time eating and swallowing.  This caused her to lose too much weight which, of course, led to other issues.  She had a fall on June 3rd, which landed her in a nursing home for rehabilitation. After some further decline Juli was put on pain meds to keep her comfortable until she passed away today.

I first met Juli many years ago (at least 16) and she got me involved with NANPA before I created NSN for which she was editor for the first couple of years. Juli worked very closely with Heather Forcier, E.J. and I when we started NSN. She was a sweet and talented woman with a great passion for nature and for her friends brought together through photography and art. Juli was a mentor, a creator and she provided a great deal of enthusiasm and encouragement for me when I first started my business here at NatureScapes.

She will always hold a place in my heart.

Greg, thank you for posting about Juli. She was a very special person and was here at NSN when it started, combining her passions for nature photography and writing and pouring her heart into it. She made editing fun and I not only learned a lot from her in the countless hours we worked together, but our friendship also grew beyond that. She worked incredibly hard, supported and believed in people, and was so extremely kind. I am grateful to have known her.

So sorry to hear this. She has been fighting a long time.

Dear Juli was always an inspiration even though she endured so much in her life. No more suffering, and may your spirit fly free at last.

It was hard to read the emails updating a group of us about Juli's last hours. She was a bright soul, and I look back with a lot of fondness on the time she, Heather and I collaborated on the editorial duties here on the site. I grieve her loss, but I know the past few years were tough and now she has been released from that. Godspeed, Juli, and thanks for sharing your time with us.

Obviously you have very deep feelings for your longtime close friend Julie Wilcox, and always will.  

I would like to offer my sympathy to all who knew Julie.  

Thank you for sharing some of her life with us.  

Robert King

I'm very sorry to hear about the passing of Juli. May her soul rest in peace.

That is very sad news. I hope her family is doing well. 

She visited Alaska in autumn 2006 and we did some shooting together, both around Anchorage and up in Denali. Juli was full of life and thoroughly enjoyed being out with nature. She was a kind and helpful person that will undoubtedly be missed by many.

It's a sad news indeed and I'm sorry to hear it!
RIP Juli ...

Aww jeez, that is sad news. She was one of the old timers here and was a huge asset. RIP Julie and thank you!

My condolences Greg.

I think many years ago when you and I and EJ and the late Bill Lockhart were members of Photoblink before you started this site your friend helped me with my orchid shots via you. She was very helpful.

Being in Australia I have never met any of you in person but I have known you on the internet since 1999. May you all find peace.

Kim.

This is sad. I do remember Juli from the early days. Her posts reflected her intelligence and class, and I enjoyed her contributions for that. Go in peace Juli.

A remembrance page for Juli is up now. You can see it at the link below, and add any comments of condolence you may wish for the family. I believe it may also be possible to upload a photo to the page, if you have one from any time spent with Juli. She loved being out in the field.

http://opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com/tri ... tuary.html

So sorry to hear this.May her soul rest in peace.

Such sad news to hear of this. My condolences and heart felt sympathies to her family and her friends.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers. The service has changed and the viewing is today at 1PM with a service at 2PM. I wish I could be there to celebrate her life. I sent flowers on behalf of the NSN community.

Very sad news my thoughts and prayers are with the family and very thoughtful of you Greg...

Rest well and in peace Juli.

So sorry to hear this. She will be missed.