On the afternoon of Saturday, May 4th, Bainbridge Island lost a beautiful, natural wonder. Julie Ann Ulrich died peacefully in her Bainbridge home. She was with her husband Kevin, her cat Hudson and close friends. All who knew her were aware that Julie was a loving, caring, authentic and creative person. Julie’s time with us was too short and this last year was particularly difficult for her. We are grateful that she is at peace now.

Julie was born the 29th of March 1949, in Ketchikan, Alaska. She grew up in Seattle, moving to Bainbridge with her first husband, Paul Storey. In 1973, they purchased a small bookstore and transformed it into Eagle Harbor Book Company. Then along with Paul, her dear friend Leigh Ann Giles and Leigh Ann’s husband Marc Richards, they opened the Streamliner Diner in 1980.

In 1987, Julie met her future husband Kevin while working aboard a coastal freighter on the Bering Sea. Soon they would marry and build a home on the west shore of Bainbridge Island, with a spectacular view that Julie loved. Julie trained with Debbie Moore in her frame shop, in 1993 Julie would open her own shop, Julie’s Frame Gallery, that flourishes today. Her business partner, Crista, continues the store in the same traditions Julie started. Throughout her life, Julie made significant contributions to Bainbridge Island small businesses. All of Julie’s businesses continue to thrive today.

Julie leaves a loving sister Nancy (Dale), her frequent world traveling companion. She is preceded in death by her parents Anna and Arthur Pengra and brother Jim. Her passing was very peaceful with many friends and her husband in the home she loved.

Our friend Katherine reminds us of a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson:

“What Lies behind us

and what lies before us

are tiny matters compared to

what lies within us”

Memorial to follow this summer.