Julia Ellen Barrios

Julia Ellen Sarr Barrios was called home by her Lord the morning of December 6, 2020 at 55 years of age. She had endured four years of aggressive cancer treatment with a grace, strength, and optimism that was a source of encouragement to all that knew her, which was representative of how she lived her entire life.

She was born on March 7, 1965, in Santa Clara, Ca. to Joseph E. and Hope Ann Sarr. Her early years were spent in the San Jose area. Her family eventually made their home in Porterville CA, where she graduated from Monache High School in 1983. One of her favorite high school experiences was singing in the Monache Concert Choir. She also embarked on her nursing career her senior year through a Nurse’s Aide Certification program offered by the Tulare County Occupational Vocational Education Program, which enabled Julia to work as a C.N.A. while she pursued higher education. Julia received her BS in Nursing from San Diego State University in 1990.

After graduation Julia remained in San Diego working as a Registered Nurse in the Pediatric Service at the University of California San Diego. When that department merged with Children’s Hospital she launched out as a travelling pediatric nurse in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Florida. Her return trip from Florida went through Denver where she secured a RN position at Denver Children’s Hospital.

Julia’s marriage in 1997 brought her back to San Diego where she lived the rest of her life. She worked at Rady Children’s Hospital 25 years in the post-anesthesia care unit until illness forced her to retire. She was a member of the San Diego First Methodist Church, finding special enjoyment with the music and children’s programs. Christmas Eve was her favorite service, and she made a point of attending as part of her celebration each year when able to do so.

Julia was preceded in death by her older brother, Daniel A. Sarr, in 2015. She is survived by her daughter, Helen Noel Barrios; her father and stepmother, Joseph E. and Mary Sarr; mother, Hope Overholt; brothers: Joseph B. Sarr (Lisa), Michael R. Sarr, Matthew Sarr (Jamie), Jonathan Sarr (Sonja), as well as several nephews and nieces.

Julia demonstrated an indomitable and giving spirit from an early age. While a toddler, Julia was severely burned in an accident that resulted in heavy scar tissue on her hands, arms and legs. Repeated surgeries over a six-year period released her hands and fingers to near normal function. Despite her physical limitations, she took up beginning crochet at eight years old. In her childish enthusiasm she hid a flashlight under her blanket at night to continue working on her crochet projects after bedtime. She eventually gave one of these projects as a Valentine’s Day gift to her plastic surgeon. He received the gift with tears in his eyes, which was visible proof of his gift to her of working fingers. That moment defined how Julia lived her life. When she faced obstacles, she not only worked through them, but found a way to give back to others. As child she spent countless hours in hospitals enduring procedure after procedure. As a result of her own hard-won experience, she dedicated her life to providing care and compassion for children and families working through similar challenges.

Julia faced many challenges as burn survivor with visible scars. There were no support groups as she grew up, but as a college student she became aware of and attended a Burn Survivors Group in San Diego. She also volunteered at a burn survivors children’s camp program. That was a special concern for Julia, and she wanted very much to do more work in that area. Since her health kept her from participating in those efforts, she asked that any memorial donations be made to “Angel Faces”, a non-profit organization that serves to empower girls and young women who have experienced disfiguring traumatic injuries.