Julia Shaelyn Damore-Rome

Julia Shaelyn Damore-Rome, born July 26, 1998 in Silver City New Mexico, passed on October 29th in Los Angeles CA. at the age of 24. Julia graduated from the Montezuma Cortez High School in 2016 where she ran track and cross country, participated on the swim team, and wrote for the journalism club. Julia was awarded a full scholarship through the Daniel’s Fund and attended Sarah Lawrence College graduating in 2020.

Julia was a special and unique person; a free spirit and thinker. She studied visual arts and creative writing in college and often expressed herself through her work. She enjoyed being in nature, getting to know people wherever she went, and helping others whenever she could. Julia was a natural born leader and many recognized and admired this. She was confident in who she was and what she believed while inspiring others to believe in themselves.

Abruptly, Julia began to suffer from mental health and substance abuse issues toward the end of her life. Regretfully, her family was confused and ill-prepared in how to help her. Sadly, her premature death may have been prevented and so there is an exceptional devastation and sadness surrounding the loss of our dear, sweet, beautiful Julia.

Julia was an amazing daughter and a loving big sister. She will be deeply missed. She is survived by her mother Michele Damore, her father Paul Wesley Rome, her sisters Corinne Damore-Rome and Evelyn Balliger as well as much extended family.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 18th at Ertel Funeral Home in Cortez CO. at 10:00.