Julianna Lyn Sayler

SAYLER — Julianna Lyn, 8; born Oct. 31, 2008, South Bend, Ind.; died Aug. 18, 2017, Monterrey, Mexico. Surviving: her loving parents, Eric and Stacie Sayler, Walla Walla, Wash.; older brother, Joshua, Walla Walla; younger sister, Jillian, Walla Walla; paternal grandparents, Glen and Irene Sayler, Tillamook, Ore.; uncles and aunts, Kevin and Corinne Sayler, Anacortes, Wash.; Jeffrey and Cherry Sayler, Dallas, Ore.; maternal grandfather, Glenn Silver, Waitsburg; maternal grandmother, Colleen Compston, Walla Walla; aunt, Stephanie Compston and cousin Samuel Compston, Walla Walla; and maternal great-grandparents, Ken and Viola Silver, College Place, Wash.; great-aunt and great-uncle, Lynda and Mickey Estey, and cousins, Nathan and Brooke, Walnut Creek, Calif.; great-uncle and great-aunt, Michael and Jolene Compston, Puyallup, Wash.; second-cousins, Brittany Compston, Puyallup, Wash.; Danae’ Andrews, Auburn, Wash.; great-uncle, Lonnie Compston, College Place; and 4 great-great aunts and 4 great-great uncles.

Julianna is preceded in death by her maternal great-grandparents, Leslie and Jewel Compston of College Place; her paternal great-grandparents, James and Betty McCorkle of Bellingham, Wash.; and Walter and Marjorie Sayler of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Julianna Lyn Sayler passed away on Aug. 18, 2017, from complications caused by Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a form of brain cancer. She was eight and a half years old. She is the daughter of Walla Walla residents, Eric and Stacie Sayler and sister to Joshua and Jillian.

Julianna was a shining light of joy and faith. She inspired many around the world with her determination and fierce dedication to raising awareness of pediatric cancer and spreading the love of Jesus.

Julianna was born on October 31, 2008, in South Bend, Indiana, while her daddy attended seminary at Andrews University in Berrien Spring, Michigan. She was a fighter from the moment she arrived. Born six weeks early she spent 12 days in the NICU before going home with her family at only four pounds.

Julianna embodied kindness and sensitivity to others. Her dimpled smile and infectious giggle warmed the hearts of everyone she met. She loved gymnastics, crafts and playing with her animals. She was active in the Feathers and Hares 4-H club and loved her golden retriever Ellie, along with her horses, goats, chickens and cat! One moment you might find her working alongside her daddy in the dirt and the next she could be dressed up and every inch the little lady she was.

Julianna bravely fought DIPG for just under nine months. This journey led her and her family to seek treatment around the world, first in London, England then Monterrey, Mexico. She was cared for by the best medical teams possible and her passing brings sadness to her friends and doctors around the world whom she touched deeply. Julianna’s passion for educating others through her own experience was an inspiration and one we, as her family, will continue in her honor. In the future Team Julianna will be forming a non-profit to continue to raise DIPG awareness and help other families receive care in Monterrey, Mexico. Her legacy of bravery, sparkle of life, and desire to raise awareness will carry on forever.