Obituary of Julie Louise Svoboda

Julie Svoboda, 41, of Denver, passed away July 1, 2016, as a result of a long battle with alcoholism. Her family and friends were by her side when she died. Julie was born to Cheryl Svoboda and Jim Svoboda in Denver, Colorado on January 28, 1975. Julie went to Lincoln Heights Elementary School, Bluffs Middle School, and Scottsbluff High School in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. She graduated high school in 1993.Julie then attended the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design in Denver, Colorado. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design. This is when Julie and her creativity blossomed. She created projects that would help the elderly and the disabled. From 1997 – 1999, Julie lived in Ft. Collins and worked at Palmer Design Center. After that, she moved to Denver and began her career with Douglas County Schools as a Special Education Assistant in the Early Childhood Programs. At the same time, Julie was a Certified Nursing Assistant at Children's Hospital in Denver, Colorado. She worked in the NICU.After five years with Denver Children's, she returned to work with special needs children at a preschool program in Englewood, Colorado. Julie enjoyed working with special needs children and had a particular gift with those on the Autism Spectrum. She also had a soft spot for the underdog and didn't shy away from fighting to make life better for them. Julie's love of animals was unconditional, and she always took comfort in them as true companions. We remember her cats (Neiko, Emmy, Whoopi) and her sweet dog (Missy) with fondness. In December, 2014, Julie decided she was finally ready to confront her addiction and sought out treatment at the Sobriety House in Denver, Colorado. This battle for sobriety would become a long, agonizing, two-year struggle in which Julie fought like a warrior every step of the way. In spite of her best efforts, unfortunately, this past Friday Julie succumbed to her addiction.Julie was our baby, our youngest child, our daughter, our sister, our granddaughter, our friend, our cousin, a wife, a teacher, a human being and an addict. With her beautiful smile that lit up a room, unforgettable laugh and loyalty to a fault, it was easy to see why anyone who met Julie instantly fell in love. Like many who have traveled the road of addiction, Julie spent her life, from the first day at Sobriety House until her passing on July 1st, in multiple rehab facilities trying to fight the demon. What the demon didn't tell her was how it would devastate her family and tear it apart, how it would take her job, leave her penniless, how it would take her home, take her smile and laugh, how it would take her humor and how it would take, take and take until it took her life.God, however, had other plans. God saw her constant struggle and decided to finally let her find peace. Her beautiful smile and unforgettable laugh will be deeply missed by everyone.Julie is survived by her mother, Cheryl Svoboda; father, Jim Svoboda; sister and brother-in-law Darcy and Tom Johnson; and partner, Jordan Wright. She also leaves behind several cousins and a host of dear friends, especially Theresa and Sharon, as well as students whom she cared for deeply. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Springs Funeral Home in Colorado Springs, CO. The memorial service will be held at 11:00AM, Monday, July 11, 2016 at Ascension Lutheran Church, 2505 North Circle Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80909. Inurnment will be at Ascension Lutheran Church Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation in Julie's name to Sobriety House, 121 Acoma Street, Denver, Colorado 80223 or to Denver Dumb Friends League, 2080 South Quebec Street, Denver, Colorado 80231.Funeral Home:The Springs Funeral Services3115 East Platte AvenueColorado Springs, , COUS 80909Service:Ascension Lutheran Church2505 N. Circle DriveColorado Springs, CO 80909Ascension Lutheran Church Columbarium Events Service Monday, July 11, 2016 11:00AM Columbarium 2505 N. Circle Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Phone: (719) 634-1694