Dr. Julie Ann Silbar 1972 ~ 2026

Dr. Julie Ann Silbar, PhD, was born July 18, 1972 and passed away peacefully on May 7, 2026 with her daughters and close friends at her side following a cancer journey she fought with tremendous bravery and grace.

Born in Spokane, WA, Julie spent time growing up in both Eastern and Western Washington, eventually settling in Spokane, graduating from Mead High School in 1990. She earned her BA in multi-disciplinary studies from EWU, her master’s in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University and her PhD in Leadership studies also from Gonzaga.

Few people have a work ethic as strong or practice professional integrity at the superior level Julie did. Her focused determination for effectively utilizing her leadership skills in the workplace was balanced by making lifelong friends from co-workers beginning with those first part-time jobs and throughout her careers at Cavanaugh’s and Red Lion Hotels, American Express, Expedia, Gonzaga University, and several other quality organizations. She began working as a teenager and was never again unemployed until shortly before her cancer diagnosis. An unexpected lay-off and an aggressive form of cancer didn’t deter her determination to continue working and Dr. Silbar maintained her role as an adjunct professor at Gonzaga University through this spring semester.

Without question, Julie’s greatest joy and deepest pride was in raising her daughters, Reagan and Faith Silbar. She was a nurturing and loving mother, giving them everything they needed to become the strong, independent young women they are today. Their lives will blossom and grow into the beautiful futures she hoped for them, because of all she did for them.

“You learn empathy by traveling and experiencing other cultures” is something that Julie often said. Those that knew her, agree that her empathy and compassion was second to none. While she had an inherently caring heart, Julie’s love of travel, and the belief that it would expand human connection, took her on trips around the world including most of the North American continent, Great Britain, Belgium, India, Italy, Turkey, Greece, the Philippines and more. She instilled her love of travel and her deep compassion for all people in her daughters.

Julie centered her life on helping others. Whether she was assisting call center agents in her early career with what they needed to thrive personally and professionally, fostering cats with a local shelter, lending a helping hand to friends and family even when they were too quiet to ask, volunteering with the Mead Education Foundation or co-founding the new nonprofit Next Chapter, Julie put the needs of others in the forefront of her time and attention. No doubt that most reminiscing about Julie will include heart-felt stories of how she positively impacted the lives of others.

Julie is survived by the pride of her life, her daughters, Reagan Silbar (20) and Faith (16), step-son Grant Silbar (wife, Kelsey) and granddaughter Eleanor Silbar as well as her friend and previous husband, Steve Silbar. She also leaves behind her much-loved nieces, Lauren, Samanatha and Amanda Moffat, sister-in-law Angela Moffat, “extra mom” Paula Lee, Father Dale Moffat (wife, Vicki), numerous other relatives and a vast network of friends. Julie’s mother, Patricia Harrison, joined Julie in eternal rest on Monday, May 11, 2026.

A celebration of life will be held at St Luke Lutheran Church (9704 N Division, Spokane, WA) on Friday, May 29, 2026 at 3pm. Attendees are requested to wear their best purple outfits, Seattle Seahawks or Mariners sportswear or shark/ocean themed attire, as these were all some of Juie’s favorite things. A reception will immediately follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted at the ceremony for Julie’s daughter’s college funds (a bank account will be arranged soon), or please consider donations to Next Chapter Home (nextchapterhome.org), a new nonprofit Julie co-founded last year.