Julie Griffiths, age 54, passed away January 18th, 2017 at her home in Portland, OR, surrounded by her loving family. Her funeral service will be held Friday, January 27th, 2017 at Skyline Memorial Funeral Home. She is survived by her husband, Steven, and three daughters, Joanna, Abigail, and Nicole.
Julie was born on 5th July, 1962 in Croydon, England to Ronald and Joan Steptowe. She graduated from Ashburton High School in Croydon, and went on to work for her father’s family business. Growing up, Julie loved to dance, and carried this passion with her throughout her life. At the age of 21, Julie met Steven, and on July 15th, 1989 they were married at St. Mary’s church in Westerham, England. Julie and Steven had their first daughter, Joanna, and later moved to America. They had their second daughter, Abigail, in Detroit Michigan, and then moved to Portland, Oregon where they had their third daughter, Nicole. Later she began working at Columbia Sportswear in 2008.
Julie fell in love with the beautiful Oregon beaches, the cascade mountains, and incredible Columbia gorge. She was an avid lover of the outdoors and spent as much time as she could going on adventures. Her favorite place to be was the beach, regardless of the time of year. Julie also found her love for skiing here in the Pacific Northwest, and trips to the mountain became a family tradition each winter.
Julie was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003, and lived the remaining thirteen years of her life fighting the cancer. It caused her to retire from Columbia Sportswear in 2015. Julie was courageous and strong, and never let cancer define her. She lived a full life, and never let her illness get in the way.
Julie was a kind, generous, and loving wife, mother, and friend, and will be dearly missed by those who knew her.
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