Julia Rowe
April 14, 1994 - July 30, 2022
Boston, Massachusetts - "To be a star, you must shine your own light, follow your path, and don't worry about the darkness, for that is when the stars shine brightest." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Our brilliant, hilarious and irrepressible Julia joined the constellations July 30, 2022.
Julia lived a large, albeit short life until her unexpected passing at age 28 in Boston. Julia spent her formative years in Chapel Hill and was intellectually curious throughout her Montessori, Durham Academy and Tufts University (Physics and Computer Science) education, career at Wayfair.com, and beyond. Julia had a wickedly quick wit, was a deep and broad thinker, an inveterate feminist, intimidating game/debate opponent, and an artistic soul. She was contagiously silly and a constant source of entertainment.
Julia was a sprite competing on her beloved thoroughbred Willie, an avid skier, hiker and world traveler. We are grateful that after five years at Wayfair, Julia was on sabbatical for eight months prior to her passing. This work "pause" enabled Julia to travel extensively, spend quality time with family and friends, and pursue her creative passions (crocheting, painting, designing clothes, and planning ridiculously themed parties). Julia was working on intentional introspection and examination as to what and where the next phase of her life would be.
Julia is survived by her loving parents, Timothy Durrett and Lori Sailer Rowe, younger sister Dana Grace and furry felines, Tina and Louise. She leaves behind a large contingent of aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and former co-workers and will be greatly missed by all.
As Jack Kerouac says in On the Road, "I looked up at the sky; the pure, wonderful stars were still there, burning." Julia's spirit will be in our night sky, forever shining on.
An intimate celebration of Julia's life will be held at the Garden Terrace at Fearrington Village in Pittsboro, North Carolina on Sunday, September 18th at 11 AM.
Donations in memory of Julia may be sent to The Humane League or the charity of your choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by & from Aug. 19 to Aug. 21, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Julia Rowe

25 Entries

Alex T

June 24, 2025

Julia was one of the nicest people you could meet. I didn't have many friends in school, but Julia always me feel that I was cared for and important. I'm so sorry to hear that Julia has passed

March 29, 2023

I miss her so much. I'm really sad she's gone.

Travis Meinders

September 19, 2022

I offer my deepest condolences to you and your family. I had the privilege of getting to know Julia over the previous two years while on her team. Many qualities of hers that you doubtless already know would also become obvious to me and our teammates over the time we worked with her. She was hilarious. She was talented. She was always positive. She was a leader.

I always found it inspiring how she was often doing some sort of craft, needlework, or whatnot to keep her hands busy in our less crucial meetings. While she was still deftly navigating the conversations and decisions in those meetings, she was conveying the unspoken idea that there is so much more to enjoy in the middle of the day than just the work.

Needless to say, the world will be a bit duller without her. I hope there can be some solace in the fact that her positivity will reverberate through all of the people who got to know her.

Deidre and John Smyrnos

September 17, 2022

We send love to Tim, Lori & Dana and to all of Julia's extended family and her many friends. It is hard to fathom that we will not get the pleasure to greet Julia again soon. We remember fondly and forever Julia with all her effervescence, continuous and contagious laughter and her lovely quirky ways. We are so grateful that Julia's path crossed with Taylor's, such a beautiful friendship they shared and with a bond that was so strong.
Our deepest condolences,
The Smyrnos Family

Anca and Lucian Dragulski

September 15, 2022

We will always associate Julia´s memory with our daughter´s Monika college years : she was a constant friend and support, with contagious energy and enthusiasm, a bright mind with a multitude of interests and hobbies . Her departure as such a young age makes us cherish more the occasions when we were together and knowing her . Heartbroken , we convey our deepest condolences to you , her admirable parents.

Haley Craven & Steve Schwab

Planted Trees

Ian Azcue

September 13, 2022

I don't really know where to begin, because I'm still shocked that this is even real. My condolences to her family and everyone whom she touched, of which I know there were many.

I met Julia during my time working at Wayfair, and she really helped make my experience working there a positive one. She was always available to brighten up the mood, provide an optimistic outlook on a situation, or grab a quick lunch/bubble tea between meetings to just catch up. She was a wholly unique individual and the world is a less interesting place without her.

While it's been a while since we'd seen each other or spoken, the impact this news has had on me has been dramatic. I think that's really telling of the kind of person Julia was. I'll miss you dearly Julia, and I hope that those affected by her passing may one day find some peace.

Planted Trees

Flora Zhu

September 7, 2022

My sincerest condolences, Julia was a light that will live on in everyone she touched.

Julia was that friend you could tell anything and everything to. Even after not seeing each other for months, we could catch up like no time had passed.
Thank you Julia, for everything. Empowering women in tech, sharing your love of travel, cats, and crocheting with me, and for just existing. I hope you´re surrounded by cats and balls of yarn, skiing down perfectly snowed mountains. I miss you so much, my dear friend.

Kyle Fairchild

Planted Trees

Ted Liu

August 24, 2022

Julia was an incredible colleague and a veritable joy to work with, but far more importantly, she was an even better friend. There was no one with whom I would be more excited to go on a break for food or drink and just talk shop and life. She was, without doubt or exception, a blessing to all who knew her.

I've been absolutely gutted to hear about Julia's passing, and I am at a loss trying to make sense of it. I pray that she found what she was looking for in her sabbatical, and for her family, I humbly offer my deepest condolences and prayers for peace and healing.

Kim and Bruce McDermott

August 23, 2022

This is a lovely tribute to a remarkable young woman. Sending sympathy and love to Dana, Lori and Tim and all those whose lives were touched by Julia.

Haley Craven

August 22, 2022

Julia was one of my first close friends at Wayfair - we also got to partner on our first big project together. I knew then she was unlike anyone I knew. She was so smart, and funny, and witty. She made a huge impact on my life and my career and I am so lucky to have worked with and known her - and to call her a friend. I was even luckier when she surprised me in Chicago last year. She will be greatly missed and never forgotten - Her spark will live on through all the people she met along the way

Aimee Harmelink

August 22, 2022

Tim - to you and your family, there's no way to express how deeply saddened I was to hear about the loss of your daughter. She sounded unbelievably amazing. I know there are no words I can say to make this any less difficult for you or your family, but you have my deepest sympathies. Since she (as I) was a staunch feminist, so I will find such a charity and donate to it in her honor. I'm so sorry.

Eduardo and Gloria Schwartz

August 20, 2022

Dear Tim and Lori: it is with great sadness that we just heard of Julia passing. Please accept our heartfelt condolences. With much love, Gloria and Eduardo

Gordon and Tory Willis

August 20, 2022

So very sorry for your loss. We are keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers.

Stan and Jean Bradshaw

August 20, 2022

Tim, Lori and Dana,

Our hearts are broken for you. You are in our prayers as we know that you are holding tight to the beauty that Julia brought into the world.

Susan Ellis

August 20, 2022

My heart is so sad hearing about Julia passing. We all loved Julia passion and uniqueness and loved her in our life as a middle schooler. Prayers are in my heart for Tim, Lori and Dana.

Alison

August 19, 2022

Julia was a trusted colleague and friend at work, always bringing people together and making others laugh.
The thing I´ll always remember is that she always had the funniest/silliest emails introducing new members of her team to the rest of the company - what a wonderful way that was for her to make new people feel welcomed.
I am so sorry for this immense loss. She´ll be missed but forever loved by so many of us in Boston.

Stephen W Barringer

August 19, 2022

I am heartbroken to learn of Julia´s passing. She was a delightful student in the classroom and a formidable force on the soccer field. Count myself truly blessed to have known her. My thoughts are with Tim, Lori and Dana. Love to you all.

William Edwards

August 19, 2022

I have fond memories of Julia from the time she was a freshman Bio student with me in 2008 through her graduation in 2012. She was a beautifully bright, shining star! My thoughts and prayers are with all of her family.

Judy Chandler

August 19, 2022

My heart is breaking with the loss of such a wonderful individual. She was always so positive and joyful. My heart goes out to Tim, Lori and Dana in their grief. My words are so inadequate to express my sadness over your loss.

Constanza de Radcliffe

August 19, 2022

To the loving parents of Julia. As her advisor I got to see your fierce and infinite love for Julia first hand. I cherish all the time I had near her, especially seeing her blossom into the young, irrepressible, honest and strong Julia. To Julia's loving sister, your fierce love for Julia, your deep bond, and how incredibly proud you are of her was so easy and beautiful to see. You are in my thoughts and prayers and I will look up to the sky and see the bright stars and think about Julia. My condolences, Constanza de Radcliffe

Pallavi Pudakalakatti, Julia's former Wayfair team member

August 19, 2022

I am extremely sorry for your loss, please accept my deepest and most sincere condolences.
I will begin by saying - Julia was a force to be reckoned with! I am sure many would agree with this statement that I had also mentioned to her countless times. She's been the youngest and the most inspiring managers I have worked for. She built the best team I have ever been a part of and has impacted my career at Wayfair in the most positive way. Her infectious energy helped bring out the best and the most fun side of people that was just awesome to experience.

Julia will always be an inspiration to me and I'll cherish all the fun memories of her dearly.