Julie Anna Curfman
March 15, 1986 ~ July 15, 2005
Curfman, Julie Anna, beloved daughter of John Joanie Curfman and beloved sister of Jennifer and David Curfman died July 15, 2005. Julie was born March 15, 1986. She attended Wichita Montessori School, The Independent School, Wichita East High School, and graduated from the Southard School in Topeka. Julie completed her freshman year at Wichita State University. She had been working at Willson Kennel in Augusta learning to be a dog trainer, and she was a volunteer at the Kansas Humane Society. Julie had been active in music theater at Independent, East High, and MTYP. She was a talented singer, actress, and artist who could make anyone laugh. She endeared herself to the hearts of many with her sweet personality, her compassion, her sense of humor, and her intelligence. She will be remembered for the many lives she has touched and will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her grandparents Lawrence Jr. and Margaret Curfman of Wichita, and her grandfather Leonard Kaplan of New York, and her grandfather Herman Brickner of New York and uncle Lawrence Curfman III of California. In addition to her immediate family, she is survived by her grandmother Doris Brickner, her uncle Rob and aunt Sarra Kaplan, her aunt Ann Koch, her aunt Betty Curfman, and many cousins. Services will be 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, July 19, 2005, at Downing Lahey Mortuary East. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Julies name with Music Theatre for Young People, P.O. Box 8030, Wichita, KS 67208.
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
John and Julie – You know how terribly sorry I am about your loss. Although I haven’t been able to be there I have left you with my much much better half and the kindest and best friend you can ever have. There is obviously no way that words can ever provide the comfort that you need at this time but just know that I have been thinking about you and Barbara keeps me abreast of how you are doing. If there is anything I can possibly do, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I am planning on coming to Wichita over Labor Day and hope to be able to see you. Someone once said to me that life is a funny thing … you have to live it going forward but you can only really understand it looking back. Hopefully you will be able to start moving forward again soon and some day, maybe, we will all understand.
Dear Curfman family, My heart goes out to all of you as you grieve for your precious Julie. It is dificult for anyone to fathome the pain experienced with the death of your child unless you have been there. It was 3 years ago today that we lost our son Paul. My heart is forever broken but Paul lives on in our hearts and the many lives he touched in his short time here with us. I know Julie will also be remembered by so many people that knew and loved her. If I can do anything for you and your family please call. With the utmost sympathy, Diana Quillin (Paul Mitsch’s mother)
Joanie, John, David, & Jennifer: Our hearts ache for you everyday. May all the great memories of Julie sustain you in the coming days.
Dear Curfman family, I have just learned of your tragic news and I am truely sorry to hear it. I worked with Julie several times through MTYP and last choreographed her as a snake in ‘Children of Eden’ several years ago. I also returned for classes at WSU this past spring and was surprised to have her as a classmate in Speech class. Watching her give speeches each week reminded me how unique she was and how much I enjoyed watching her talent. She spoke so creatively and with such humor. I ran into her again after class had ended right around spring break and she was so happy for the ‘A’ she received in that class and was so proud of her accomplishments. Watching her in class, took me back to what I think was her first MTYP production in ‘How to Suceed’ and I remember how impressed I was with such a young girl with such a mature sound and sense of humor. God bless you all. She will be missed and remembered. – Jenny Mitchell 07/22/05
Dear John, Joanie, Jennifer, and David: My most heartfelt sympathy to you and the other members of your family on the loss of your beautiful Julie. It was a distinct honor to be one of her doctors for so long and a privilege to know her as she grew to be such a lovely and talented young woman. I’ve always felt that yours was a very special family in my practice. (I hope you felt this in spite of the business inherent in a primary care field.) The caring and love present in your family was always very obvious. My thoughts and prayers are with each one of you during this difficult time. There is comfort in knowing that Julie is at rest in a better place. If I can be of any help, please do not hesitate to call.
John, Joanie, Jennifer and David, Our entire family was deeply saddened to learn of your loss. Our childrens’ lives have blessed us all by helping us meet wonderful people–We count the Curfman family as part of this group. I hope the knowledge that Julie touched so many people’s lives helps to sustain you during this time. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.
To Julie’s family, I had the pleasure of getting to know Julie in the last couple of years. She came to a Thanksgiving dinner and to several other family dinners. She was such a wonderful person and I came to care very much about her. I am so very sorry. She painted a painting for me and I have it hanging in my family room. She will never be forgotten, and the world was a better place with her short presence in it.
Dear Joan, John, Jennifer and David, Our hearts break for you and we pray that Julie at peace. Always remember the smiles she brought to everyones face. We are sorry we van not be with you to show our love and support at this tragic time; just know we are grieving with you. Karen and Bill Brickner Erica and Mark Michele and Fara
Dear friends, there are not many words I can say other than to tell you we though Julie was a wonderful person. She was so kind, such a caring beautiful person. She always asked about our hound Maggie as she had taken her for several walks at NYC. I wish we had known her better. East Highs Theatre web site has her name listed often in plays. I lost a brother who drowned in lake Afton and it was really tough on my family….please know we’re here any time if you needs someone to talk with. May God hold all of you tightly in his arms in the days and months ahead….
Mr. and Mrs. Curfman- i attended East High School with Julie and I must say she made everyone around her smile, she was full of laughs and smiles. we had music class and I always admired her voice it was so powerful when need be as well as sounding like a voice sent from heaven. We also had English class and Julie sat right behind me, she loved playing with my curly brown hair as well as playing a game with to see how many pencils or whatever she had she could hide in my hair before i felt her doing it. she truely will be missed but remember she will always continue to smile down on you and watch over you. I can imgine her now wowing everyone up in heaven with her beautiful voice and beautiful souls. Your family as well as Julie will always be in my thoughts and prayers. Try to keep strong, I know Julie would have wanted it that way. God Bless you and you family.
John, Joanie, Jennifer and David~ I am deeply saddened to hear about Julie. I very much regret that I will not be able to attend the service in the morning because I will be holding down the fort at MTYP Camp so that the Gales may attend. I wish I could be there. I was good friends with her for many years and she was an absolute joy to be around, always bringing a smile to my face. I had lost touch with her since my graduation from East, but thought of her often. She was a beautiful, talented, wonderful girl who I loved to spend time with doing theatre and just hanging out doing nothing. She will be deeply missed by myself and the rest of her friends and the theatre community who loved her so much. My deepest sympathies to you. You are all in my thoughts.
John, Joanie, Jennifer and David~ I am deeply saddened to hear about Julie. I was good friends with her for many years and she was an absolute joy to be around, always bringing a smile to my face. I had lost touch with her since my graduation from East, but thought of her often. She was a beautiful, talented, wonderful girl who I loved to spend time with doing theatre and just hanging out doing nothing. She will be deeply missed by myself and the rest of her friends and the theatre community who loved her so much. My deepest sympathies to you. You are all in my thoughts.
Dear Joanie, I am so sorry for your tragic loss. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts at this most difficult time. Joanne Kaplan
Dear Joanie, John, Jennifer and David, I was so, so sorry to hear about Julie. Although there have always been so many miles between us, I felt as if I knew Julie — watching her grow up through the holiday photos you sent each year, and hearing about her engaging personality and her talents as a singer and actress. After our warm and wonderful reunion in LA last summer, I had hoped to come to know the younger Curfmans. I wish you strength at this impossibly difficult time, and hope you’ll find some comfort in the love and support of family and friends. My thoughts and prayers have been and continue to be with you. Much love, Jane
Dear Curfman Family, We are so sorry to hear about the loss of Julie. Courtney had the opportunity to perform with Julie on several occasions and thought so much of her. We enjoyed seeing her perform, as well. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
I am a nurse practitioner at Mid Kansas Pediatrics who knew Julie and I just wanted to express my deepest sympathy to you. From the first time I met Julie I liked her. You should be proud to have raised such a sweet, caring, respectful young lady. Although her life was short, I know that she touched my heart, and I am sure the hearts of many.
Dearest Curfmans, We want to express our deepest sympathies for the loss of your precious Julie. I don’t know whether you remember us; our son Sean was in Jennifer’s class at Montessori. Our yougest son, Kevin was in David’s class as well. I will always remember Julie trailing Jennifer and David with a smile on her face. I remember her always skipping or dancing wherever she was. She always seemed to have an imense spirit of life. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. She will be greatly missed. May she rest in peace. Joe, Pat, Sean and Kevin Sullivan
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your precious daughter and sister. Even though I never knew Julie, I know how outstanding Jennifer and David are and so I can only imagine what an incredible young woman she was. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
John, Joanie, Jennifer and David, I wanted you to know that I have you in my thoughts and prayers. I wish there was something I could do to help you with your pain. Just know that your family has touched so many lives as was obvious at today’s service. There were young people of all grades there from Independent. You all mean so much to them and me. We love you all vey much.
Dear Aunt Joanie, Uncle John, Jennifer and David, I am so very sorry for your loss. I am so sad to know that Julie is no longer with us. It had been only a few years ago that I last saw Julie, but I still remember her as a sweet, beautiful and vivacious girl. She will remain that way in my mind forever. I will always cherish the fond memories I have of Julie. I offer you my deepest condolences. I know that you must be suffering immensely now, but I wish you all the power to heal and to embrace the memories of Julie’s life. I wish I could be with you right now in Wichita, but while I cannot, I offer as a inadequate substitute my thought and prayers. Please know that if you need anything at all, you have family in New York who love you and care about you deeply, and offer our support in any possible way. We love you and are thinking you during this painful time. With deepest condolences, Erica
Dear Joanie and Family, I am so very sorry for your loss. I know that I only met Julie a time or two, but she was so kind, sweet, and beautiful. I know that I will never understand how difficult of a time this is for you, but please know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers. May God give you the strength to get through each and every day and may He grant you peace. With Deepest Sympathy, Carli Sanchez
Dear John, Joanie, Jennifer, and David~ You do not know me, and I do not know you or Julie personally, but I have three daughters who have been involved with MTYP for the past three years or so, and I know how involved you have been with this remarkable organization and how meaningful it has been to your family. On behalf of my entire family, I would like to extend to you all our deepest sympathies for the loss of your most precious and lovely daughter. I am sure that the unparalleled joy and pride that she brought to each of you will continue to bless your lives as you constantly remember her beautiful personality, generous spirit, and immense talent that she shared so willingly with others through her art. My middle daughter had the privilege of sharing her first MTYP show, ‘Children of Eden’, with Julie, and my oldest daughter was honored to share the camp show, ‘The Pajama Game’ with her as well. Though they did not get to know her well, they easily recognized her extraordinary talent and beauty as an actress. You have so much to be proud of. Though it may be of little comfort right now, please know that Julie will never be forgotten by the many people who had the good fortune of crossing paths with her, no matter how briefly. We are so, so sorry for the tragic and irreplaceable loss of your daughter which will leave such an immense void in your family and in the theatre community of Wichita. May your futures see you blessed with the peace that you so richly deserve. Please accept our sympathies, The Runyon Family~ Karen and Rex and children, Logan, Kendall, Shelby, Max, Kara, and Samuel
Dearest Joanie and family, I just learned and my heart breaks for you. Although I won’t be back in Wichita in time for Julie’s services, you are all in my prayers and my love is with you. I will be in touch as soon as I am back. Love,
Joanie, We’re so sorry to hear of the lose of Julie our prayers and thoughts are with you. Tonia Floyd of Rico’s and Celia Chin of Rico’s
John, Joanie, Jennifer, and David, Please accept my most heartfelt condolences for the loss of Julie. You are in my thoughts and prayers. My hope for you all is that you are comforted by the memories you have of your beloved daughter and sister, for it is in those memories that she will live on.
Dear John, Joanie, Jennifer, and David, I am a teacher at the Independent School, and have been for seven years. I had Julie my very first year, in the middle school, in a study hall. Although I did not get to know her very well, I remember her well. She was a lovely young woman, fun to talk with, and she had the most beautiful smile. I am at a loss for words, but my heart, my sympathy and my prayers are with all of you. Your daughter will be missed by many, I know. Jenifer Pence
I am so sorry for your loss. I met Julie through my son, Kendall. I found her to be utterly delightful. She had a terrific sense of humor, quick wit and it was just a pleasure to be around her. She will be missed.
We are stunned at your loss and as a family stand ready to aid you in any way you wish. Words can not express our sorrow for you. Paul, Suzanne and the Mitsch children
Mr. and Mrs. Curfman, Julie was a friend of mine at Sanborn Western Camps – a very dear friend. She once visited me in Tulsa, OK. I remember Mr. Curfman dropping Julie off at my house. Julie stayed the weekend. We went to see the play RENT – full of songs that Julie sang beautifully. At the end of the weekend, we met you half way between Tulsa and Wichita and Julie fed your dog a dairy queen ice cream cone through the window. Julie was an amazing person, a wonderful friend and an incredible talent. When I learned of Julie’s passing I was working at Sanborn. Several years had passed since we’d been at camp together but we had remained pen pals. I remember being devastated by the news. I think of Julie often. I don’t go on a hike with out thinking of her and singing RENT – much to the dismay of my fellow hikers as I don’t have a tenth of the talent Julie had. I am sorry for your loss. And I want you to know that 11 years later, Julie still lives on in my memory. She is vivid in my memory and I loved her very much. with love, Sam Allen Renner.