SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - More than a hundred family and friends gathered for a memorial service Friday morning at St. Therese Catholic Church in Del Cerro, to remember Julia Jacobson.
The retired U.S. Army Captain disappeared over Labor Day weekend and is believed to have been murdered, the priest talking of the "sting of death" and "death so sinful."
Julia's car was discovered abandoned near her home in University Heights but there's been no sign of her or her dog, Boogie, despite many searches - which are ongoing.
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Julia was divorced. It wasn't a friendly parting and the ex-husband, Dalen Ware, was arrested in Phoenix last month; charged with her murder and currently awaiting trial.
Friday, though, a tearful farewell for a lost friend.
Jamie Mann described her as a battle buddy during the Iraq war.
"There isn't a day goes by I don't think of that girl and how she made me a better leader; just a better woman; and she loved everybody, touched so many people hearts, and she'll never be forgotten," Mann said.
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Julia's brother, Jon, said one of his biggest honors was to pin Julia's lieutenant's bars on her.
"I was very proud of her; her service in Iraq, Serbia a little while. Just a great lady and she's terribly missed," her brother said.
There's anger, too.
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Christine Brosius is another friend from the Army.
"I want whoever did this to pay and I believe God has her back," Brosius said.
Love and heartbreak were shared outside the church doors with many tight hugs.
Jon Jacobson summed up his feelings, "The best thing to say is I'm happier I knew her than I am sad that I miss her."
