Los Gatos resident Julie Christine Kranhold, who was known to family and friends as "Jules," died Oct. 30 after a 10-year battle with breast cancer. She was 64.

Born June 8, 1938, in Appleton, Wis., she grew up in Tucson, Ariz., and attended the University of Arizona. At age 21, she moved to New York City, where she worked for John Wylie Publishing Company. Later, Kranhold moved back to the Bay Area and took a job with another publishing company, Harper and Rowe. She also founded her own book production company, called Ex Libris. She had a lifelong love of animals, particularly horses.

"Julie was a uniquely gentle person, one who loved all and was loved by all," her family recalls of her. "She was the kind of person whose presence lit up a room when she entered. Jules focused on the good in people and had the ability to bring it out of them—sometimes without them even knowing it."

Survivors include mother Ruth Adele Shoemaker of Sacramento; brother and sister-in-law Joseph and Sharon Kranhold of Sacramento; partner Ann Ratcliffe of Los Gatos; one niece; several nephews and other family members.

Memorial services have been held. Donations can be made to the Redwings Horse Sanctuary, P.O. Box 58, Lockwood, Calif. 93932.