Julie Esther Corvera Hernandez

She was born to Julia Gurrola and Luis Guerrero Corvera on February 8, 1953 in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico. The fourth child of 14 brothers and sisters, Julie immigrated to the United States with her family when she was three years old. She grew up primarily in Otay and Hillcrest communities of San Diego, in a household of eight children raised solely by their mother. Julie met her soon-to-be-husband, Rafael Chagolla Hernandez (better known as Ralph), while they were students at San Diego High School. She graduated high school with honors, and obtained her Bachelors of Science in Biology minoring in Psychology and Spanish from the University of California, San Diego. She and Ralph blazed a trail for the educational empowerment of their immediate family members and generations that followed. They married in 1974 and both matriculated at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Obtaining her Medical Doctorate in 1980, she specialized in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and worked as a physician in Salt Lake City, Utah for a few years before moving back to San Diego. After the birth of their first son and daughter, Julie decided to stop practicing medicine so she could dedicate her time and energy to raising their children and nurturing her nuclear and extended family. Yet she continued cultivating her knowledge of medicine by attending medical conferences regularly and maintaining her medical license for much of her life.

Julie is reunited with her father Luis. Her spirit is carried on by her husband Ralph; sons Rafael Julio (Vika) and David Xavier (Josephine); daughters Julie Marjean (Brian) and Gloria Estella (Ronald); grandchildren Juliet Angelina, Gianluca James, Leonardo Rafael, Yeva Quetzal, Ronald IV, and Gemma Eve; mother Julia; and many siblings, cousins, in-laws, friends, and family too numerous to list but not forgotten. Julie devoted her life to her family, always putting her children before herself. She adored babies and cared for her grandchildren, godchildren, nieces, and nephews as if they were her own children. She cherished celebrations and holidays because they bring loved ones together. Julie was enduringly committed to strengthening family connections, communication, and unity; she loved spreading news about birthdays, achievements, struggles, and any updates involving family.

Always smiling, Julie was known for her intense love for life and contagious positivity. She listened with an open mind and appreciated the everyday pleasures in life. Julie was a lover of music, reading, learning, conversations, writing to family and friends, photography and home videos, journaling and documenting, saving things, sharing things, dancing, swimming, and the ocean. Her life was a miracle and a celebration. She was loved by everyone who crossed her path and she will be immensely missed by all.

Mass (11:00am) at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church (293 H Street, Chula Vista, CA 91910) and Celebration of Life (2:00pm) at the San Diego Indoor Sports Club (3030 Front Street, San Diego, CA 92103) will be held on Friday, November 8, 2019. As per her request, her ashes will be scattered at sea.