Remembering Julie Di Mauro
Friends and family say farewell.
“Julie left our world on June 24th around 6:15 am. She passed away surrounded by her artwork, family, friends and her beautiful music in the background (we played all three JnJ Dynamite albums a few times over). Julie passed comfortably in her sleep in one of her favorite places, our living room. She had a wonderful view of the birds of paradise and the outside sky and trees. The white flower blooms every two to three years. It bloomed when she was first diagnosed with cancer…” – Noni di Mauro
Julie was born on November 27, 1968 to Sue and Harry Brown in Santa Cruz. She met her future husband, Joel Di Mauro, in 1999, and they were married in 2010. Julie was an artistic force, creating beauty through painting, jewelry-making, and songwriting. Her art was on exhibit at lille aeske arthouse in Boulder Creek. She performed in an indie/folk band called JnJ Dynamite with her husband Joel and his twin brother Dustin. The group made three albums together, JnJ Dynamite Volume 1 (2013), Volume 2 (2016), and Volume 3 Morning Light (2019). The music is available on Spotify and Apple Music.
Friends noted Julie’s beauty inside and out. “In addition to her contagious smile and playful spirit,” one friend wrote, “she had a generous, thoughtful, kind and compassionate heart that drew people to her. Her gift of being present and open with people and her ability to make them feel loved and truly seen will be greatly missed.” Friend Erin Valdivia said, “I first saw Julie Di Mauro in 1995. I was 19 and she was the coolest. Long hair, longer legs. Platform sandals and a little green baby doll dress. Bouncing down the employee hallway at Sears. I love the way she used to wrinkle her eyebrows at me with a little pout and I can still hear the way she said my name. She loved it when I called her ‘Hoolie Pig.’ I loved calling her Julietita.”
Julie is survived by her husband, Joel Di Mauro, mother, Sue Brown, sisters, Denise Stone and Michelle Mason and her nephew, Jake Mason. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Teen Kitchen Project (teenkitchenproject.org) a wonderful organization that provided help to Julie & Joel when they needed it.
On January 3rd, 2020 the mountain community attended a reception for Julie at Lilly Aeske Arthouse in downtown Boulder Creek featuring her paintings and her music performed by Dustin and Joel Di Mauro with Erin Valdivia on vocals.
Godspeed, dear Julie… Fly, fly, fly…
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.”
– Mary Elizabeth Frye
Featured Photo: Julie and Joel Di Mauro by SLV Steve
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Julie Horner is Co-Founder and Editor for the San Lorenzo Valley Post. Julie lives and works in Boulder Creek and is an active participant in the county's vibrant music scene. She loves the outdoors and is the go-to expert on Santa Cruz Mountains hiking trails.
