Julia Rae Marks Talbott

Julia Rae Marks Talbott, age 29 of Palisade, CO, lost her life on Sunday, June 4th after a long battle with depression. Julia passed at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction, CO, with her parent’s loving arms around her. Julia was born on July 9, 1993 in Logan, UT to Randall D. Marks and Lori Goddard Billings. She spent her childhood in Logan, UT before moving to the Grand Valley. She graduated from Fruita Monument High School in 2011 and previously worked for the James W. Giese Law Firm and Country Elegance Florists, both of Grand Junction, CO.

Our hearts are breaking, but as a family, we thought it was important to share with you, a few thoughts and words that come to mind when thinking of our sweet Julia…brave, adventurous, sweet, sensitive, charming, silly, thoughtful, bright, creative, spirited, empathic…and most importantly, loving and loved. She will be dearly and enduringly missed.

Julia loved to dance, any kind really, but country line dancing and the simple bluegrass stomp on a festival mountainside with her friends and family, were her favorites. She had a beautiful singing voice and was able to provide her own piano accompaniment by ear. If you ever had a chance to hear her version of the song “Cups” then you got a little glimpse into her personality. You always knew when Julia was in the room because of her big, infectious, unique, laugh and smile, and she was always on the move at gatherings looking to give everyone a warm, lingering hug. The way she scrunched up her nose when she laughed would melt your heart, and send you on your way uplifted, while leaving you with a little bit of her “Go Big, or Go Home” attitude. If you started a game (board game, yard game, it really didn’t matter what kind), then Julia was “in”. She was a Packers fan and always ready for a little friendly competition.

She leaves behind a large adoring family that was proud and lucky to share this earth with her.

Julia was preceded in death by her grandparents, Georgia Goddard and Naida and Dean Marks.

Survivors include her loving parents, Lori and Mike Billings of Palisade, CO and Randy and Laura Marks of Salt Lake City, UT; her precious baby, Dean; her siblings, Tasha Jardine (Austin) of Gilbert, AZ, Barry Marks of Logan, UT, Britni Marks of Salt Lake City, UT, Angie Dangerfield (Kelly) of Pocatello, ID, Tyler Thomas of Logan, UT, and Rocky Marks of Salt Lake City, UT; her grandparents, Mickey Goddard and Gay and Steve Griffeth, and a multitude of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

A celebration of life will be held on June 24, 11:00 a.m., at The Grand Junction Convention Center, 159 Main Street, Grand Junction, CO.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the fund for Julia’s sweet baby Dean at https://gofund.me/4e000bd3.

For resources and support around suicide prevention, please connect with your local chapter of the AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) https://afsp.org/.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.callahan-edfast.com for the Marks Talbott family.