Julie Lacea Jumamil, age 18, passed away at home surrounded by her loved ones on Wednesday, June 20, 2018. She was born on October 26, 1999 in San Antonio, Texas to loving parents Noel and Preciosa Jumamil. At the age of 4, Julie was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis, an extremely rare disease characterized by repeated episodes of bleeding into the lungs. Despite this, Julie was determined to always give her best. She graduated magna cum laude from Sandra Day O’Connor High School and attended The University of Incarnate Word where she was a member of the Direct Admit Program for the Feik School of Pharmacy. She made the Fall 2017 Dean’s List and was a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, a certified national honor society that recognizes academic excellence in the first year at a university. She had dreams of becoming a Pharmacist, wishing to be able to help others through medicine. Julie loved to read, write stories, draw, paint and spend time with her family and pets. She always maintained a positive attitude, even when times were tough. She lived strongly by the Carlos Castaneda quote: “We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same”. Julie knew that despite her disease, if she was willing to work hard, nothing could stand in her way. Julie is survived by her parents, Noel and Preciosa, and her two sisters, JJ and Janelle.
The Julie Lacea Jumamil Memorial Scholarship was established in the Fall of 2018 to honor the life of Julie and to continue her legacy of excellence, determination and resilience. The Julie Lacea Jumamil Memorial Scholarship is an annual, merit based competition that focuses on rewarding ambitious, driven, goal-oriented individuals who have refused to let life challenges knock them down. This is a one-time award of $500. One recipient from Sandra Day O’Connor High School and one recipient from Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church will be chosen. Financial need is considered, however, all high school seniors are encouraged to apply.