Julia Maria Sarnecka, 27, of Columbia passed away Saturday, Dec. 16, 2006.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 21 at Missouri United Methodist Church. Visitation will be at 9:30 a.m. at Missouri United Methodist Church.

Julia was born in Warsaw, Poland, and came to Columbia with her family in her youth. Julia graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with honors summa cum laude and was an honorary member of Phi Kappa Theta.

After college, Julia moved to California to manage a health clinic but returned to help raise her niece, who was the joy of her life.

Julia was an artist, a photographer, a sculptor and a painter. She brought joy to everyone she knew.

She is survived by her mother, stepfather, brother, nephew and niece, who all now reside in Columbia, and her father, who still lives in Poland.

She was a loving sister and aunt with a big heart, a friend with endless time and compassion for all she cared for. She was too big for this world. We miss her.

Arrangements under the directions of Parker Funeral Service.