Julie Green, 53, passed away on October 28, 2018 at her home surrounded by her family following a courageous two year battle against cholangiocarcinoma. Julie’s life will be celebrated on Thursday, November 1 at 4pm at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 6401 Wornall Terrace, Kansas City, Missouri.
Julie was born on July 4, 1965 in Kansas City to Jan and Bill Sayler. Julie was an adventurous and joyful little sister who was loved by her three older siblings. Julie attended Shawnee Mission East High School where she excelled in competitive diving and was a cheerleader. Following in the footsteps of her dear friend and older sister Jodi, Julie attended Miami of Ohio, where she earned a degree in Elementary Education in 1987. Following graduation, Julie returned to Kansas City and served as an elementary school teacher at Somerset Elementary.
Exactly 31 years before the date of her passing, Julie went on her first date with her husband of 28 years, Bob Green. Julie and Bob had an incredibly loving and supportive relationship. Bob spent the past two years becoming an expert on cholangiocarcinoma and doing everything possible to help Julie fight this dreadful disease. Julie and Bob raised four wonderful children. Their oldest, Elizabeth, works in New York City, while their two other girls, Emily and Grace, are students at Vanderbilt University and the University of Richmond, respectively. Their youngest, Robert, is a Junior at Pembroke Hill. The three girls, Robert, and Bob were able to be with Julie during her final days. Julie was a kind, generous, and simply elegant person. She loved her family and her incredible friends. She never once complained about her disease, but instead maintained her optimism, sense of humor, and selflessness at every turn.
Julie is survived by her parents Jan and Bill Sayler; her husband Bob Green; her children Elizabeth, Emily, Grace, and Robert; her sisters Kelly Krahl (Kevin) and Jodi McGannon (Pat); and her brother Scott Sayler (Nancy); and numerous loving nephews and nieces. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to cholangiocarcinoma research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital (Team Julie ℅ Matthew Driscoll, Memorial Sloan Kettering, 885 Second Avenue, Floor 7, NYC, 10017; http://mskcc.convio.net/site/TR/RunsWalks/FredsTeam?team_id=63184&pg=team&fr_id=3111).The family thanks all of Julie’s health care providers and especially thanks Dr. Raed Al Rajabi andJulie’s lifelong friend, Megan Hise, for her loving care. Assistance by Funeral Advocates, LLC.
A beautiful person and great sister. Julie fought so hard for two years and never complained once. And she fought not for herself, but for Bob, her children, and the rest of her family. As was read at prayer gatherings for Julie, her cancer could not and did not cripple love, shatter hope, corrode faith, eat away peace, destroy confidence, shut out memories, silence courage, invade the soul, reduce eternal life, quench the spirit, or lessen the power of the Resurrection. Julie, you are an inspiration, and I love you little sister. Scott
Aunt Julie- I will remember you for your silly sense of humor, your ongoing optimism and that unbreakable spirit. You never once let your cancer define you. For that, you will continue to be an inspiration to us all. I love you and will miss you everyday. Love, Megan
The Whites are all deeply saddened by this news and we are lucky to have had the chance to know Julie. We will keep the Green family in our thoughts and prayers. Peace to all of you as you celebrate a life well lived and a wonderful mom and wife.
I met Julie shortly after I moved to Kansas City…she always went out of her way to say hello and make me feel welcome…whether it was at the gym, at a restaurant or a YPO event. At Woodside she would always encourage me to get through the first 20 minutes of spin, always told me not to give up. She always had a smile on her face and always asked how I was doing…and she genuinely wanted to know. While she was battling cancer she found out I had been in the hospital and Insisted on coming over to see me once I was home She and Jodie showed up with homemade tortilla soup. That’s just the kind of woman Julie was…I will never forget her authenticity, selflessness and kindness. She is one of a kind and I am blessed to have known her.. I will miss you Julie-xoxoxo Ann Marie B.
Julie I will always remember how kind, genuine and gifted you were. I would watch you diving off those boards in complete awe! Prayers and love to your whole family! Love Mark, Betsy, Jake, Hope and Cole Kissick.
Though I had not seen her in 25 years this made me cry. Julie was a good friend to the “diving Irishes” me (Mike) Kelly and Megan. I’ll never forget her perfect doubles and what a leader she was on our team at IHCC to the young kids on the team. Please accept my condolences and prayers for her children and for her family. ?
Our thoughts and prayers for our beautiful warrior, Julie and her family. What a gift God gave us to be be touched by her. She will forever he missed!
Katie & Mark Moreland
Charlie, Reilly & Tommy
Dear Bob and family,
I’m so very sorry for your loss. Julie and I were acquainted fairly recently but even so her genuine friendly manner and warmth made her so easy to be around. You didn’t need to know her well to see how proud she was of her family. Her courage and determination are unforgettable. May her memory be for a blessing.
There are people in your life that have a tremendous impact. Julie is one of them. Julie was kind to everyone and had such a vibrant spirit and zest for life.
I will miss you dear friend but I thank you for what you taught me.
❤️
Keeping the Green family in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Angie, Mani, Kay and Rohan Parmar
I’ll never forget the first time I encountered Julie. We were both dropping off our sons at CCCC’s Mothers Day Out. She zipped down the hallway with a big smile, saying in a bright voice, “Come on, Bob!” as little Robert toddled behind. I made note of that fun mom, her obvious confidence and sparkling personality and thought, “I want to be friends with HER!” 🙂
Four years or so later, Robert and August were classmates, and I was fortunate to become friends with Julie.
On behalf of the entire Hoffman family, I offer my deepest condolences to the Greens, the Saylers, the McGannons, the Krahls and to the many friends who loved Julie. Our hearts are heavy for you at this difficult time.
I was so honored to have known Julie since “kindie” and wear the mantle of being one of her “oldest” friends. Julie was absolutely lit from within – she was bright and sunny and you wanted to be around her and bask in her warmth. She was full of humor and grace and laughter. She adored Bob, Elizabeth, Emilu, Grace and Robert and seemed most content in her kitchen (her station, as she called it) making cheesy eggs and chicken and being an incredible wife and mom. I already miss her so much. To her family I am so sorry for your loss and send my deepest condolences. Heaven has gained an amazing warrior angel.
To all the Saylers, we know and share your pain and loss having recently losing a son to cancer as well. She was a remarkable young lady in a remarkable family. The extended Sayler family represents all that is good in our society especially in these troubled and changing times. Your support, along with Julie’s many friends for Julie, Bob, and children in their struggle was amazing. Any day we had the opportunity to be with Julie was a better day because of the joy she gave to others. God bless you all and God bless Julie!
Marilyn and Buzz Wurzer
Every time I ran into Julie it was like we were the best of old friends. I had no idea if she was having a problem because her smile was as huge as her personality. A very bright light has dimmed in KC…
Dear Kelly and family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Stephanie Watts
Oklahoma City
Such a beautiful tribute! I will forever cherish the memory of Julie’s kindness, grace, and courage. Her legacy shines on in our hearts. Sending love and strength.
Dear Bob and the Kds,
What a beautiful light and gorgeous soul. Julie was the whole package. All our lives are brighter having had the chance to feel her warmth. We are beaming each of you so much love ? and sunshine ☀️.
Love, Diana and Dan Henry
Aunt Julie, you are up in heaven with one of your biggest fans! My mom (Suzanne Green) loves you and Bob so much. I remember being at your wedding too. Saying prayers for the family.
Julie is an amazing inspiration and we feel honored to have witnessed her grace, kindness and fun, beautiful, strong spirit. She will live on in the many many hearts she has touched. Much love to the Green family from the Stanovcic family.
We never had the chance to meet Julie but we feel we know her a bit from what we heard from Jan and Bill.
Even in her illness she gave love and strength to others. A soul like Julie’s inspires us all.
Our thoughts and prayers are with our friends Jan and Bill and their entire extended family.
You never forget your first crush. My first crush took place in Mrs. Smith’s preschool, in the basement of her little Prairie Village ranch house on Roe. It was there that I first met an adorable girl named Julie Sayler, and I was smitten at the age of 4. Then we were in kindergarten together, and she invited me over to her home on 94th Street in Prairie Village. What a wonderful afternoon that was, playing in her house and big backyard. Less than a year later, my parents were looking for a bigger house, and the Sayler home had just gone on the market. I was so excited and told my parents to buy the house. They did. Imagine my shock and disappointment to discover the house was completely empty when we moved in. You see, I thought Julie came with the house! I guess I was just a little too young to understand that she had to move with her own family to Mission Hills! My family lived in Julie’s former home for over a dozen years, and yet I never saw her again until 1999, when I worked for the City of Mission Hills. Even after nearly 30 years, I was still a little smitten and giddy. She will forever hold a special place in my heart and memories. My thoughts are with the Sayler and Green families, and all of Julie’s countless friends.
To all Julie’s family
I’m so very sorry for your loss of Julie….I was just so sad to hear this… I had not seen her for years but consistently heard from friends back in KC what an amazing human being , wife and mother she was. We spent so much of our childhoods at IHCC, together, I always remember her spectacular diving ., her laugh and positive ways…even then she was a shiningg light .just special….Sending strength in this incredibly sad time to you all ..Susie Mackenzie
Well-said, friend.
I’m so sorry. Joe and I send our love, our thoughts, and our prayers. Peace .
I never had the opportunity to meet Julie, but heard so many positive things about her and her family through David and Hayley. She clearly leaves a legacy of love that will carry on forever. May God bless the family and provide you the Peace that surpasses all understanding. God now has her in His loving arms.
“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Deuteronomy 31:8
Julie was the kind of person who made you feel special when she spoke with you. She did everything with a smile on her face and her positive energy was infectious. At a time in my life when I felt very awkward and out of place, Julie made me feel important and needed. Her encouragement and kindness made an impact on the person I’ve become and she will always inspire me to treat others in the same caring way.
Julie said something to me once I will never forget and will always make me laugh: “Life is too short for uncomfortable underwear.” While sound advice in and of itself, I think it’s metaphorical as well. If something was wrong, Julie didn’t complain – she did what she could to fix it and moved forward with a smile on her face. She knew that life is too precious to let things keep you down.
Aunt Julie – you were a light in this world and a gift to each and every one of us who encountered you. Thank you for making me feel important and for inspiring me. Thank you for every smile and every kind word. Thank you for being the kind of person that will be missed so deeply; I am far better for having known you.
My heart breaks for the Sayler Green family.
As a high school friend of Julie’s, we spent many hours in the pool at SME swim & dive team. Her gravity-defying flips took the audience’s breath away. Her fun and positive energy will always be remembered. Her strength and preserverance and smile in the face of such adversity was truly special. Sending you my deepest condolences.
Love & Peace, Niki Mattioli
Beautifully said.
Your family is in our thoughts and in our prayers.
I was fortunate to know julie when we were cheerleaders together in high school. She was such a caring, sweet person.. always happy, always kind. She was such a bright light, and that light will live on in her family and so many close friends. With deepest sympathy to julie’s loving family and friends,
Janet love chandler
I am deeply saddened by reading this today. I went to school with Kelly, and I know how much she doted on her siblings. This is a terrible tragedy and I am just heart broken for her family. She looks like a very lovely young woman and the comments about her tell me that she made a difference in this world. Blessings to the family.