Julie Elizabeth Franco

Our loving mother, sister and aunt, Julie Elizabeth Franco, gained her wings to Heaven on March 5, 2021. She has joined her precious daughter, Breonda Elizabeth Moreno and her parents, Lilia and Victor Franco and sisters, Esther and Anna.

Our precious Julia battled cancer for approximately six years. Her physical body succumbed to secondary complications. We can never say she lost her battle to cancer because she never stopped fighting for her life. She was a true warrior, fighter, had immense inner strength and persevered to the very end!

Cancer never defined Julie. She walked bold, bald and proud. Her character, values, personality, love for family and others shaped who she was. She had the biggest smile that lit-up a room. Julia LIVED OUT LOUD, as she fondly reminded everyone who crossed her path.

Julie was a lover of water. One of her favorite past times was swimming in the pool. She also enjoyed tanning on the beach with her boys and siblings. The perfect ending to her day was having a barbecue with family. Another favorite activity was attending family gatherings. The food, the laughter, sharing family stories was always a source of warmth in her heart.

Julie had a special, unique and caring relationship with all eleven siblings. She was kind and compassionate to each one. In fact, the joke with all siblings is that we each believe we were the “closest” to Julia.

She also had a special bond with all thirty-five nieces and nephews. They knew they were each special because of her big smile and affectionate personality. She hugged everyone.

Julie was not devoted solely to her siblings and nieces/nephews. Julie’s direct source of strength and purpose was always her three children, Breonda, Stephen and Dominic. She often emphasized how they were her “WHY” in life. In other words, her purpose in life.

Julie was also a professional. She started working in the Jewelry Industry at the tender age of seventeen. She worked at OroAmerica in Burbank, CA., under the direction of owner Guy Benhamou. She was one of the company’s first employees. She thrived and was promoted to Sales Manager of the Wholesale Division. She was a natural sales person and enjoyed every minute of working. She prided herself on her work ethic. She always had the desire to “Make One More Call”. Often her clients became her long-life friends.

In 2007 she joined Guy Benhamou once again when he founded another company, Charles Garnier. She was hired as Vice-President of Sales due to her extensive experience in the Jewelry Industry.

Julie eventually took a break from sales when she discovered she had cancer in 2015. After chemo and radiation, her cancer was in remission for a few years. In 2019, she returned to work. She began working for Tom Ferry, as a Sales Associate. She loved working for Tom Ferry because they accepted her with her cancer diagnosis. Working made her feel she was valuable as a person. She always fought for her independence to remain self-sufficient.

Julie will always be our hero, inspiration and Forever In Our Hearts! Our “WHY”.

Julie Elizabeth Franco is survived by her army of supporters: Her two sons, Stephen Michael Moreno and Dominic Bruno Franco. Additionally, her siblings: Socorro Salcedo, Victor Franco, Lydia Franco, Carlos Franco, Irma Taylor, Ramon Franco, Patricia Franco Rivera, Dianne Franco and Monica Franco.