Our beloved Julie Elizabeth Frank passed away on March 25, 2023, after 10 years with ovarian cancer. She is survived by her husband, Scott Royer; daughters, Leah and Rebecca Dornfeld; stepson, William Winokur-Royer; father, Herbert Frank; brother, Richard Frank; sister-in-law, Katie Capelli; niece, Molly Frank; nephew, Quinn Frank and first husband, Michael Dornfeld. She is predeceased by her mother, Barbara Frank.
Julie was born September 27, 1962, in a suburb of Philadelphia. She enjoyed many summers on Long Beach Island, New Jersey, where she developed lifelong friendships. Julie attended Simmons University in Boston, from which she graduated with a degree in management. Her first job out of college was for CitiBank in New York, after which she moved to Washington, DC to develop stores for The Bike Exchange. She loved bike riding, and took cycling trips throughout her life, in places like Europe, Australia, and across the US.
Julie enjoyed the trip of a lifetime, around the world in 1989, experiencing many adventures and bringing home stories she often recounted with her friends and family.
In 1993, Julie moved to Olympia, Washington, with her first husband, where she worked in recycling and energy finance and raised her daughters. She was passionate about environmental protection, women’s rights and politics. She attended many events related to her interests.
Julie and Scott worked together at Windfall Architectural Products for over nine years. Julie’s vision to grow the company to become a national leader in sustainable architectural products became a reality. She also developed the branding for Windfall’s sister company, Cambio Wall System. At the same time, she recruited and supported an independent sales channel across the US, developing many long-lasting relationships.
Julie had a strong love for her community; she actively participated at Temple Beth Hatfiloh (TBH), having served on committees, the board of directors, and as president from 2013-2015. Julie served as TBH's president as she lived her life: with a solid sense of service, purpose, grace and humility.
Julie was one of those rare people who had the will to lead and did so with a balance of patience and empathy, but with high expectations and determination. She was a consummate facilitator. Her colleagues said that her ego always seemed in check, and her yearning for smart, elegant, and powerful decisions always shone brightly. During her work at TBH, she worked tirelessly to develop a perpetual building maintenance program and funding mechanism.
Julie had an adventurous heart: bungee jumping in New Zealand, backpacking in Nepal, rock climbing to a secluded beach in Portugal, and ziplining on her recent 60th birthday. Julie made a point to get to know the soul of every person that touched her life. She took great joy in understanding and listening to others to help them be loved and seen.
Julie chose for her body to be processed with natural organic reduction, a form of human remains composting and is the first person in Thurston County to do so. Her remains will become dust and be returned to the earth in the coming months.
In lieu of flowers please donate to UW Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology Discretionary Fund. Your gift will support Dr. Barbara Goff’s work. Dr. Goff was responsible for Julie's care for the past five years.
She will be dearly missed by her family, many friends and the entire community.
