In Memory of Julie Wrend
Julie Wrend was the first person to encourage us in our plans to create a local sustainable food directory for Colorado. Because of her far reaching accomplishments in the field of environmental protection she has been honored by Governor Ritter who designated November 21, 2007, “Julie D. Wrend Day”. We are grateful for her enthusiasm with our project and we are assured that where ever she is now, she is helping to move the project forward.
Our beloved Julie’s spirit passed to the next stage of its journey on November 15, 2007. She died at home, surrounded for days by many of her closest friends and family. She was a lawyer, environmentalist, spiritual seeker, best friend to many, gourmet chef, artist, skier, hiker, and simply a delight to behold.
She lived with breast cancer for nineteen years, but refused to be defined by her disease. Each setback she suffered only strengthened her resolve to live her life fully, in the present moment. Right up to the very end, no one would have been surprised to see her pull one more rabbit out of her hat and stage yet another miraculous recovery. Alas, it was not to be.
Julie loved the outdoors, and considered the mountains and deserts to be her church. She held all of creation to be divine, and lived her life accordingly. Among her many accomplishments, she inspired a group of friends to begin an ongoing tradition of skiing to backcountry huts deep in the most beautiful mountains in Colorado. We call ourselves the “Intrepid Ski Tourers.” “Intrepid” means resolutely courageous, and no one exemplifies the term better than Julie.
Today, the world seems a paler place for Julie’s passing. Many hearts gathered here are broken. Yet, Julie’s spirit lives on. Were she here to speak, she would tell us all to take those broken hearts and mold them to be soft and open. She would tell us to close our eyes, take a deep breath, and listen to the voice within. She would tell us to live by living, to love by loving, and to be courageous courageously.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education, 15260 S. Golden Rd, Golden, CO 80401.
