SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – Julienne Guilbeault Rabor, 10 year resident of Santa Barbara County, Calif., left us for her creator on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2004, 10 days after her 36th birthday. Julie was born in New Bedford, Mass the daughter of Gina Iacoponi Clark and Philip G. Guilbeault. She survived four years with 4th stage Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC). She was the spirit of her community. Her childhood was spent on Cape Cod, where she attended Centerville Elementary School. She attended Moore Junior High School in Portland, and West Orange High School in Winter Garden, Fla. At West Orange, Julie earned a leadership role with the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and graduated from high school with honors as a member of the National Honor Society in 1986. In January of 1987, she joined the U.S. Air Force and received training as a computer programmer. While stationed at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, Julie became an active member of the base Honor Guard and Drill Team, received numerous awards and accolades for her performance, and was honorably discharged in August of 1989. Julie began her college career in 1990, at the University of Hawaii and joined the Hawaii Air National Guard. An avid football fan, she held season tickets to the UH Rainbow games at Aloha Stadium where she sat close to the 50 yard line. She obtained the degree, bachelor of science Chemistry with Distinction, on Dec 19, 1993. While an undergraduate student, Julienne studied French abroad at the Language School ?colangues, over-looking Angers, France. That summer she and Don seized the opportunity to tour Europe before returning to Hawaii. On the morning of Nov. 4, 1993, Julienne Guilbeault and Donald Smith stood in the warm waters of Hanauma Bay, Hawaii, at sunrise and exchanged wedding vows and kissed for the first time as Mr. and Mrs. Donald Rabor. Julie returned to the U.S. mainland,having been accepted into graduate school at the University of California Santa Barbara, where she spent the summer interning at Los Alamos National Laboratory, N.M. It was there she used mainframe computers to compile accelerated particle data collected for research into hydrogen storage medium. On June 12, 1998, the regents of the University of California conferred upon her the degree of master of arts in chemistry. While attending UCSB, Julie’s enthusiasm for learning blossomed into a passion for teaching as she tutored students and instructed test preparation off campus for non-science majors. However, the majority of her time as a graduate student was spent in laboratory instruction as a teaching assistant, student advocate, and scholarly author. Following graduate school, Julienne began her career as a chemistry educator at Santa Barbara City College. Then in 1999, as the lights were about to go out around the world, she gave birth to identical twin girls on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11. Her children, named Jacqueline and Jade fueled the remainder of her life. Motherhood and parenting made Julie shine brighter than ever before. Actively participating in her PEP (Postpartum Education for Parents) group, Santa Barbara Mothers of Multiples, and Starr King Pre-School Workshop, she shared her enthusiasm and dedication with the families of her community. Upon learning of her cancer on Feb. 14, 2000, Julienne demonstrated the will and determination to rise above her disease. An inspiration to many, she passed on without defeat, regret, or sorrow. In her final seven weeks, she celebrated her 11th wedding anniversary, her children’s 5th birthday, her brother Chandler’s 29th birthday, Thanksgiving at her home, her 36th birthday, and one last Christmas before she said good bye. Julienne’s hobbies and interests included family, education, cats and dogs, downhill skiing, cooking and baking, Dolphins football, camping, the ocean, collecting beach glass and carousels, stamping, Ansel Adams and Wyland, Jimmy Buffet and the Grateful Dead, National Monuments, and all types of travel. To each of these interests, she brought her unique spontaneity, exuberance, and passion. Julienne Guilbeault Rabor is survived by her husband, Donald L. Rabor; daughters, Jade Rabor and Jacqueline Rabor; and brother, Chandler P. Guilbeault, all of Santa Barbara County, Calif.; mother, Gina Iacoponi Clark of Oakfield; and father, Philip G. Guilbeault of Orlando, Fla.; grandfather, Gino A. Iacoponi of New Bedford, Mass.; uncle, Michael J. Iacoponi of Cocoa, Fla.; aunts, Mary L. Iacoponi of Melbourne, Fla., Rory A. Martin of Sandwich, Mass., Christine E. Dobrinska of Blue Bell, Pa., and Lisa A. Gray of North Adams, Mass.; cousin, Lily K. Martin of Sandwich, Mass.; Godmother, Teresa R. Dall of Mattapoisett, Mass.; great aunts, uncles, and cousins all over New England; house pets, Buddy the Orange-Tabby and Jasmine the Tibetan Mastiff; and many more relatives and dear friends the world over. “Jewels” as she was very often called, touched many hearts and lives and although it is truly hard to imagine the world without her, it is very easy to imagine Heaven rejoicing because she is surely there. She will forever remain deeply cherished in our hearts. Plans are being made for a memorial celebration sunset service this summer on a Cape Cod beach. A scholarship college fund is also being set up for her twin daughters. Please contact her Mom, Gina Clark, if you wish to attend this memorial service or make a contribution to the Rabor Twins College Fund. Gina can be reached at: 207-757-8797 or 888-261-8808 or by email to: gclark@letstravelagain.com
JULIENNE GUILBEAULT RABOR
