Juli Lyn Snead Leeds
"The Kitchen Witch"
Sunrise 9/21/68 Sunset 3/5/17
Juli Leeds, age 48, died at her home in Culver City on March 5 surrounded by many members of her family and close friends. She had metastatic breast cancer and was very grateful to the excellent care she received under Obamacare. Preceded in death by her father Leonard "Billy" Snead, Juli is survived by her mother Ann Snead, young son River Leeds, siblings Linda (Allen) Ross, Judith Snead, Lenny Snead, Dawn (Char) Tollick, Heidi (Jim) Bliss, and Jeff Snead; nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews in Arizona, California, Nevada and Virginia; cousins; and goddaughters Allison and Paislee Smith.
An enthusiastic woman who brought people together, throughout her life and during her last days, Juli was surrounded by the love of family and friends. She touched many with her warmth, imagination, playfulness, generosity, and great food. Born in San Bernardino and raised in Highland, after graduating San Gorgonio High School she moved to Santa Monica to work as a nanny and never looked back. Juli loved being close to the ocean and beach. After a few years she moved to Venice and learned to bake at II Fornaio. Juli used her culinary talents and love of planning parties to become The Kitchen Witch, showcasing her cooking skills as a personal chef for over 20 years. Most recently she was known for creating phenomenal cakes that would rival Martha Stewart in taste and design! Following River's birth, Juli and her former husband moved to Culver City to raise River in a neighborhood where he could flourish in a kid-friendly community. River is proud that his mom won the El Marino Elementary School chili cook-off for six consecutive years.
Juli truly had a zest for life and was always planning a new party or adventure for friends and family; especially for River. She was a proud Democrat and was fiercely committed to social justice, women's reproductive freedom, and protecting the environment. She will be deeply missed by many. Juli was honored to receive numerous acts of kindness from so many people in recent years. We encourage others to do something kind for a stranger or an animal in her memory. Donations in Juli's memory may be made to Rivers PayPal account at [email protected] or to VITAS Healthcare (hospice program). Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of her life on Saturday, March 25th at 2:00 pm at Grace Church in Culver City. That evening beginning at 5:30 we will celebrate Juli's love of reggae and Jamaican culture at Elks Lodge, 11160 Washington Place, Culver City.

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

Published by San Bernardino County Sun on Mar. 22, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Juli Leeds

Sponsored by San Bernardino Sun.

18 Entries

Mark McKenna

March 17, 2019

A year later...I reread the tribute to Juli that mentioned her thoughtfulness. When Billy died she sent me one of his shirts which still hangs in my closet. When I drove across the country in 2010, from Oregon to New York, I had the shirt right next to me on the front seat. The truck I bought was 25 years old, leaking everything, and with Billy as a co-pilot, somehow we made it. I thought of Juli often during that trip, Billy too.

March 31, 2017

I am in tears as I write this! I am seeing this for the first time now and am heartbroken that I missed the chance to say goodbye and pay my respects to one of the most wonderful women I've ever met. Juli was so full of love and life. She was an exemplary mother and she gave so much of herself to others. River truly is his mother's son in every sense of that term. He is a testament to the spirit that she radiated and she will live on through him. She will always live in my heart and I will never forget her beautiful soul and her friendly smile. Juli, you will be missed by all who knew you, you will never be forgotten. My heartfelt condolences to River and all of Juli's family and friends. Love, Maria Ruvalcaba Hackett

J F

March 24, 2017

My condolences to the family,
I am sorry to hear about your loss. May the God of all comfort give you strength and peace durning this most difficult time.
Jeremiah 21:11

March 23, 2017

Judi,, I never met you...but I felt the incredible love your sister had for you. I worked for years n women's breast health,so I know the challenge you faced. Rest In Peace Juli. Your spirit of courage lives on

Kelly Carreira

March 23, 2017

Juli was full of life and such a happy person. Our God will never forget her actions that influenced others around her because God is a happy God who promises good news of the resurrection with complete health on Earth as it says in 1 Timothy 1:11. He misses her as much as her family and friends do. Continue uplifting one another with courage and patience during this difficult time.

Juli&me, October 2017

Kati Bochmann

March 23, 2017

Courtney Benedict

March 23, 2017

To Judith and family, I am so sorry to hear of Juli's passing. She inspired me even though I never had the good fortune of meeting her. I'm sending prayers to your family.

L W

March 23, 2017

To the family and friends of Ms. Leeds please accept my heartfelt sympathy and sincere condolences may you find comfort during this most difficult time. Psalms 18:2,6

Lori Kearney

March 23, 2017

My love and prayers to all of Juli's beautiful family, especially my dearest friend Judith, Heidi and Ann. River, you have all our hearts, now and forever. We have a wonderful Kitchen Witch flying in our home here in Ireland, who is now called Juli. May her radiant spirit shine on each of you always and bring you comfort and strength.

March 23, 2017

Juli, you are truly a sweet soul who deserved so much more than the hand you were dealt. You always(always!) had wisdom + words of encouragement for everyone with whom you came in contact. Thank you for being a light in the world. My heart goes out to your sweet son + everyone else who will miss you. I love you. Brenda

Tom Wake

March 22, 2017

Rest In Peace dear friend. You will be sorely missed and never forgotten. I will plant the tree that you asked me to.

Janelle Sweeney

March 22, 2017

Your journey has ended way too soon. I'm deeply saddened by this.

Corrina (Aleman) Baber

March 22, 2017

Juli was so inspiring to me and I'm sure many others. Her courage, spirit and love were evident every time I got a chance to speak with her. I am so saddened by her passing but happy she is no longer in pain or fear. My condolences to her River and family. God bless you.

Silvia Mitchell

March 22, 2017

Juli was one one in a million. One of those rare and special people the likes of whom don't come around often. Juli left a lasting and deep impression on everyone she met and especially those lucky enough to have been drawn into her orbit. Juli's generosity of spirit, zest for life, and huge inclusive capacity for love and laughter will never be forgotten. My deepest condolences to her family. My heart goes out to you. We will miss her terribly, and will love her and remember her forever.

Ruberta Resendez

March 22, 2017

Heaven gained a Beautiful Angel, Rest In Paradise !
My Condolences to River and the Snead family .
Now who am I gonna text when I need advice on a recipe. Ride the waves Kitchen Witch. ☮

Renee Rivera (Delgado)

March 22, 2017

My deepest condolences to you Ann and entire family. Rest in paradise Juli!

RIP....You are gone but will never be forgotten. XXXOOO

Michael Ackerman

March 22, 2017

Mark McKenna

March 22, 2017

I was so sorry to hear of Juli's illness and totally shocked to hear she had died. I remember her as a young, glamorous teen and then as a young mother, full of life and fun. My condolences to all the family. Juli will be missed, that's for sure. What a beautiful person!

Showing 1 - 18 of 18 results