Julia Diane Price

November 22, 1961- February 16, 2020

Throughout 2020 the family and friends of Julia Diane Price have mourned her loss and celebrated her life. Julia passed away in San Francisco on February 16, 2020 following a short illness.

Julia was an extraordinary person: gentle, generous, sensitive, kind and intelligent. She was a blessing to her parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Many noted that after meeting Julia Price, their lives and luck improved.

Born in Redwood City, California, Julia spent her childhood and youth in the same house in Los Altos. She was educated at Almond elementary, Covington Jr. High and Los Altos High School. Julia graduated from CalPoly in San Luis Obispo with a degree in journalism. While at CalPoly she met and later married, at twenty-two, John Hitchcock, whom she described as her best friend during the years they were together.

Her first jobs were in the tech industry where Julia practiced and perfected the art of public relations, eventually establishing, in her late twenties, her own company, “PricePR.” She launched numerous high-tech start-ups, most of which flourished. The PricePR office in San Francisco’s Marina District was furnished with art and antiques reflecting Julia’s talent as a collector and decorator. She was adept at attracting talented coworkers whom she regarded almost as family, helping them both professionally and personally. Julia’s last job was with “Podtrac,” a company that provides audience measurement data for podcast publishers. This endeavor was both challenging and interesting. One of Podtrac’s big clients with whom Julia worked closely, was Leo Laporte’s “This Week in Tech.” (TWIT)

Julia’s house on Dolores Street had spectacular views of the Bay Bridge and city architecture. A welcoming hostess who enjoyed putting on baby showers, wedding showers, holiday dinners and luncheons, especially for her family, Julia took great care with flower arrangements, lovely china and silver, along with the delicious food. Her family and friends were touched and charmed by the effort she put in to making these get-togethers memorable. Friends who stayed at her house marveled at the beautifully appointed spaces. One of her hobbies was collecting antique furniture and eclectic art work. The backdrop for these pieces, a renovated Victorian townhouse, had rooms painted in amethyst purple, yellow gold, turquoise blue, jade green. Visiting her house was a visual joy; one discovered fascinating objects exquisitely displayed. When a guest arrived for the weekend, Julia took them to a neighborhood bakery for coffee and pastry, and/or to the Farmer’s Market to purchase produce for dinner. She loved having people around and her keen emotional intelligence allowed her to understand and empathize. This also meant that she absorbed others’ sorrow and pain.

During Julia’s relatively short life she traveled a lot, both for work and adventure. She showed remarkable bravery navigating downtown Manhattan, arranging press tours for her clients which took skill, intelligence and courage especially for someone who had spent all her life in the SF Bay area.

An avid sports fan, Julia never missed a Giants, Warriors or 49er game.

She was a political progressive and lifelong Democrat who closely followed the ups and downs of local and national politics. Prior to her untimely death, Julia expressed interest in volunteering for Joe Biden’s Presidential campaign.

Julia was fond of music: New Orleans jazz, classical, opera, rock. She had a gently mellifluous speaking and singing voice. One of her favorite songs was “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin.

A talented and graceful dancer, she particularly enjoyed Salsa dances.

Cautious by nature, Julia was still willing to take risks, such as learning to sail on San Francisco Bay after a friend suggested it.

Julia cared deeply about her brother, sisters, their spouses and their children. She was almost a second mother to Connor and Aly Donovan whom she saw regularly, accompanying her sister Nancy and the kids on vacations. A wonderful aunt, Julia impressed her niece Aly by performing a perfect cartwheel on her 50th birthday. Julia loved to laugh. She was never too tired to hear about her friends and family members’ activities and concerns. She was a close companion to her mother, Kay Price especially after Julia’s father Bill passed away. Julia and Kay had lots of fun together. Among other adventures, they both joined Los Altos Library’s excellent book club.

Julia’s sudden loss brings to mind the adage: “Every meeting must end in a parting.” Despite this truth, we, Julia’s family and friends, feel her absence every day.

Julia Diane Price is survived by her dear mother and closest friend, Kathryn Kenney Price; sister Deborah Price Janke and botherin-law Craig Janke; brother James Kenney Price and sister-in-law Carol Greenland Price; sister Nancy Kay Price and brother-in-law Norm Donovan; niece Sarah Price Ortega, nephew David Ortega and great-niece Christina Ortega; nephew Nicholas Price; nephew Connor Price Donovan; niece Julia Alexandra Donovan; uncle Robert C. Miller; aunt Carmela Kenney; Ted, Julia’s beloved Turkish angora magic cat; and many cousins, friends and co-workers.

May compassion and loving kindness envelop everyone. Please, if you wish, listen to “Stairway to Heaven” in Julia’s memory. www.forevermissed.com/ Julia-Diane-Price