Julie Ann Shular, a 30-year resident of Malibu, died on Oct. 17 after a courageous battle with breast cancer.
Born in Bozeman, Mont., on Feb. 9, 1954, to Robert Dean Shular, an Air Force pilot, and Jacqueline Shular, a real estate agent. Shular lived in many states before graduating from high school in Hawaii. She then studied at both Santa Monica College and the University of Southern California.
In 1977, Shular met Van Royce Vibber, who would become her business partner and husband. A serial entrepreneur, Shular parlayed her talents into philanthropy, particularly delighting in raising five wheelchair assistance dogs for Canine Companions for Independence.
A private pilot and certified scuba diver, Shular was an avid reader, tennis player, gardener and bird watcher, who enjoyed participating in marathons. She was a member of several organizations, including the Audubon Society and the Ventura County Ninety-Nines. Shular crewed a ship for the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, and served as director of operations for the Aviation Museum of Santa Paula.
A positive force for all she touched, Shular wished to encourage other women to get regular mammograms and donated her body to medical science through ScienceCare.com.
“A bright, funny, highly motivated adventure-seeker, she will be dearly missed,” Shular’s loved ones wrote.
Shular is survived by husband Van Royce Vibber; father Robert Dean Shular; mother Jacqueline Shular; brothers Kurt, Rob and Scott Shular; sister Sandy Shular Dulin; nephew R.J. Dulin; and nieces Kitty Dulin, Cassie Shular and Jenny Shular.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to CaringBridge.org, the local Audubon Society, the Aviation Museum of Santa Paula, the California Native Plant Society or a favorite charity.
A celebration of life will take place Saturday, Nov. 2 at the Aviation Museum of Santa Paula, 800 E. Santa Maria St. in Santa Paula, at 10:30 a.m., with a lunch reception following the service.