Julie Soderlund

1978 - 2016

Julie Anne Soderlund

Los Gatos, California —Julie Anne Soderlund, 38, went home to be with the Lord on April 28, 2016, due to complications from stage IV melanoma. Julie was born February 16, 1978, in Newport Beach, CA. and grew up in Santa Barbara. As a child she was full of fun and embraced life fully. In 1999, she became a member of Phi Beta Kappa while attending the University of California , Berkeley and in 2000 graduated with highest honors in 2 degrees and a minor . After college she spent a year in Mexico City, spreading love, making friends and developing a lifetime appreciation for everything spicy. Once back in the USA, she quickly discovered her passion for politics and communications, found a job and moved to Sacramento, CA. In 2003, she met her future husband, Erick. During her career in Sacramento, Julie held various positions such as Deputy Press Secretary, Press Secretary for Schwarzenegger's re-elect campaign, Communications Director for the Carly for California campaign and junior partner with the Wilson Miller Communications firm. She was talented, hard working and professional and it was clear to those around her that she was "going places". In 2012, Julie accepted a position with an international company based in Lausanne, Switzerland and quickly rose to the position of Vice President of Communications. As part of her job responsibilities, she traveled the world . When she was not travelling for work, she was travelling with her husband. She expected excellence from herself and those around her, and supported others in any way she could to ensure that the standard was met. She loved investing in other people which made her a great professional, leader and friend.She was someone you wanted to work with, work for, and more importantly, someone you wanted to know. She loved generously, laughed freely, worked hard, played hard and pursued life with vigor. She loved God, her husband Erick, her family , others and herself, in that order.She was preceded in death by her grandparents Beatrice and Arthur Michels, and Charles and Gladys Dobie.

She is survived by her loving husband, Erick Soderlund of Los Gatos, CA.; her mother, Susan Michels (Randy) Anderson of Great Falls; her father, Donald Dobie of Port Townsend, WA.; her brother, Michael Dobie of Everett, WA.; and many loving aunts, cousins, other family members and many close friends.

A Celebration and Memorial of Julie was held May 27, 2016 in Sacramento, California. Memorial donations may be made to: The Greenhouse (www.thegreenhousecenter.org) or Medair (http://relief.medair.org/en/)