Julia Ann Leffler

March 12, 1983-Dec. 25, 2005
Julia Ann Leffler, 22, passed away on Christmas morning due to respiratory complications.
Julia was born on March 12, 1983 in Cincinnati,Ohio and was the daughter of Charles and Wanda Leffler of Raleigh. She has always been a fighter in her long battle with Batten Disease and this was true to the very end. Julie had been hospitalized prior to her death due to fluid buildup in her lungsand body. Efforts to reduce the fluid only provided temporary relief and the stress was just too great on her heart and lungs. In her almost 23 years she made an impact on many lives and they on her. In spite of the debilitating impact the disease hadon her mind and body, she never failed to demonstrate how strong she was in spirit.
In addition to her parents Julie issurvived by her sister, Katherine Steele; and brother-in-law, Charles Steele of Jacksonville, Florida; paternal grandmother, Genelle Leffler of Lawrenceville, Illinois; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Julia was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Mike and Bertha Richard and paternal grandfather, James D. Leffler.
Julie was a member of White Memorial Presbyterian Church. She attended York and Lacy Elementary schools, The Governor Morehead School for the Blind and Southeast Raleigh High School. She was awarded the Spotlight on Students Award for Meritorious Achievement by Wake County Public Schools and the Yes I Can! Award from the Foundation for Exceptional Children.
The family wishes to extend a special heart-felt thank you to Dr. Rose-Mary Boustany of Duke University Medical Center; her three loving care providers, Donna Calton, Jenise Finfrock and Susan Neppal for the excellent care and compassion shown to Julie.
A graveside service will be held at10 a.m. at Oakwood Cemetery on Thursday, December 29, 2005.
A service to celebrate Julie's life will follow at 11 a.m. at White Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1704 Oberlin Road, Raleigh.
The family will receive friends in the Jane Bell Gathering Space of White Memorial Presbyterian Church from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 28, 2005 and again immediately following the Thursday service.
Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 St. Mary's Street, Raleigh, is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers please make contributions in Julie's memory to the Batten Disease Support and Research Association, 166 Humphries Drive, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068 or the Tammy Lynn Center for Developmental Disabilities, 739 Chappell Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606-3299.
More information about Batten Disease can be found at www.bdsra.org
Condolences may be made through www.brownwynne.com