Julie P. Power Succumbs to Valiant Battle With MS

    WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.--April 15, 2002--Julie P. Power, of Westlake Village, Calif., died April 11 following a long and valiant fight with multiple sclerosis.
    Julie was born in Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1938 and raised in Dowagiac, Mich. A graduate of Marygrove College in Detroit with a B.A. degree, Julie taught elementary school in Royal Oak, Mich., where she met her future husband James David Power III. The couple lived in Michigan until they moved to Southern California in the mid-1960s. It was here they raised their beautiful family of four children. Together they founded J.D. Power and Associates.
    Julie had an indomitable spirit and love of life. This spirit transcended everything she came in contact with starting with her role as wife and mother. As a mother, she was very active in the local school and spent countless hours driving her children to practices, games and other activities, all while balancing her day between the family and the business.
    She was a long-standing member of the American Association of University Women, which promotes education and equality for all women. In addition, years of service were donated to local philanthropies. In particular, Julie was passionate about Mary Health of the Sick Convalescent and Nursing Hospital in Newbury Park, Calif. She was a key fundraiser for this group for more than a decade. In 2000, Julie was one of four women recognized with the "Women of Merit" award from the Mary Health 100 Club. She was also a strong supporter of the Channel Islands Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
    Julie was instrumental in helping establish J.D. Power and Associates in 1968 -- particularly in the ensuing years when she tabulated consumer surveys on the kitchen table while also caring for her four young children. She was noted for her uncanny ability to get to the root of any problem and was a very organized and creative thinker. She was an entrepreneur in the truest sense of the word in co-founding this influential global marketing information firm that today includes 10 domestic and international offices with nearly 600 employees.
    Loving family members who survive Julie include David, husband of 39 years; daughters Mary and Susan; sons Jamey and Jonathan; sister Bonnie Pierce Spinazze; and numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
    Visitation will be at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park & Mortuary on Thursday, April 18, 2002 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. The Vigil will be held at 8 p.m., at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, 5801 Kanan Road, Westlake Village, Calif. The funeral Mass will be held the following day, Friday, April 19 at 10:30 a.m. For any questions or inquiries please contact Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park at (805) 495-0837.
    In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mary Health of the Sick Convalescent Nursing Hospital, 2929 Theresa Drive, Newbury Park, CA 91320 or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Channel Islands Chapter, 14 West Valerio Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.

    Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services firm operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, consulting, training and customer satisfaction. The firm's quality and satisfaction measurements are based on actual responses from millions of consumers annually. J.D. Power and Associates can be accessed through the Internet at www.jdpa.com. Media e-mail contact: michael.greywitt@jdpa.com or john.tews@jdpa.com.

    Note: A Photo is available at URL:

    http://www.newstream.com/public_story.html?5656