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Monday, January 28, 2013 10:32 PM Woman loses cancer battle a month after White Christmas gift 'She inspired a lot of people' By Rochelle Moore | Times Staff Writer Laurie Pearson’s fight against cancer and her love for snow touched the lives of more people than she will ever meet. Pearson battled Stage IV cancer but just before Christmas her husband, Kevin, gave her a white Christmas on a 50-degree day in Wilson. Kevin wasn’t sure if it would be her last Christmas but wanted to do something special after hearing that all she wanted for the holidays was to see snow. Kevin, family and friends pulled together and hired Snow My Yard, which traveled from Raleigh to Wilson and pumped four tons of snow on her front lawn. She was surprised by the gift and spent the day with family, which gathered to celebrate the holidays. It was one of the few days that she felt well enough to be at home. "At the time, we didn’t know it would be her last Christmas,” said Janice Jones, Laurie’s sister-in-law. "It gave her time to enjoy all the kids. It just gave her a day to forget (about the cancer).” Laurie Pearson’s condition worsened after the holidays and she spent all but two days in the hospital. During that time, her story touched the lives of health care workers, led to the family being added to prayer lists all over Wilson County and other states and inspired many people in the area. "I’ve been called snowman and everything else,” Kevin said. "Laurie was known all over the hospital. She was on prayer lists everywhere. It made me feel good for her.” Their story also caught the attention of media outlets across the nation, including today.com, and the world after being published by the United Kingdom’s Daily Mail. Laurie’s story had an impact in what became some of the last days of her life. The 45-year-old died Sunday, surrounded by loved ones, after cancer spread through her body to a point she could not sustain. On Friday, when snowflakes fell in Wilson, Kevin was touched by knowing the snow his wife wished for finally came. He considered it a homecoming of sorts. "When it started snowing, we just felt like it was for her,” Kevin said. "It was enough.” Kevin said that the outpouring of love and support to his wife meant a lot during a difficult time. She was touched by her caregivers, which led the family to establish a scholarship fund that will provide support to young adults in the medical field. Kevin said that Laurie asked many of her caregivers about their work and learned that some CNAs could not attend nursing school because of the lack of funding. The scholarship fund is a way for Laurie’s wishes of giving back to be granted. "It was just the way they took care of her,” Kevin said. "There were so many CNAs who came in to take care of her who made a difference. It’s our way of giving back for her.” The Laurie G. Pearson Nursing Scholarship Fund will provide financial support to young adults seeking a nursing degree. The family plans to create an annual fundraiser that will support the scholarship fund. Donations can be made to the Laurie G. Pearson Nursing Scholarship Fund, 4124 Huntsmoor Lane, Wilson, NC, 27896. Laurie was first diagnosed with cancer in February 2011 and treatment for breast cancer and colorectal cancer sent her into a six-month remission. In August, the cancer returned into other areas of her body, in her brain and bones. In January, the cancer had spread further and entered her liver. Laurie’s mother and a cousin also battled cancer, leading doctors to believe her condition was hereditary, Kevin said. She was a fighter and continued to believe in the possibility of recovery. Her encouraging words to others, especially those battling with cancer, served as an inspiration, Jones said. "She was just beautiful,” Kevin said. "She truly inspired a lot of people. She also inspired her nieces and nephews more than anything. If you met her on the street, you wouldn’t know she was sick. "She inspired more people at the age of 45 than most people would, I think.” rochelle@wilsontimes.com | 265-7818 |
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Sorrowing said...
What a wonderful thing to do in setting up a scholarship for CNAs. My dad suffered long before he died, and the many CNAs who came to our home from hospice made very little to support their families, let alone further their education. They were the most caring folks - becoming like family. I am so very sorry for Laurie's short time with us, but the love she shared with her husband, family, God, and others will continue to live on. The love Kevin and Laurie shared was so special! As a geneologist, I know her story will be told long after all of us have passed as well. My dad always said "make memories", because in the end, that's all we have. And write them down, he said - because the stories, the memories are the way future generations will not just know names of those who came before us and their dates (birth, death). Those stories "put flesh back on their bones" and "romance back in their lives", he would say. That's exactly what will happen generations from now when they hear the story of Kevin and Laurie. To love and be loved is a life well-lived! A thank-you to all close to this family for your on-going presence of love, care, and friendship!
Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 9:38 PM
Lisa said...What a wonderful thing to do in setting up a scholarship for CNAs. My dad suffered long before he died, and the many CNAs who came to our home from hospice made very little to support their families, let alone further their education. They were the most caring folks - becoming like family. I am so very sorry for Laurie's short time with us, but the love she shared with her husband, family, God, and others will continue to live on. The love Kevin and Laurie shared was so special! As a geneologist, I know her story will be told long after all of us have passed as well. My dad always said "make memories", because in the end, that's all we have. And write them down, he said - because the stories, the memories are the way future generations will not just know names of those who came before us and their dates (birth, death). Those stories "put flesh back on their bones" and "romance back in their lives", he would say. That's exactly what will happen generations from now when they hear the story of Kevin and Laurie. To love and be loved is a life well-lived! A thank-you to all close to this family for your on-going presence of love, care, and friendship!
Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 9:38 PM
RIP Laurie. I do not know this family but this story brought me to tears. What a loving family and what a brave & strong young lady Laurie must have been. Praying for strength for her family, friends and loved ones.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 10:32 AM
RIP. L. G. P. may we meet again with The Lord and father you will truly be missedf
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 10:52 PM
I couldn't help but cry as I read this. This is such an inspiring story. I read about the snow story too. I am so glad that this family was able to have some joy, and make some unforgettable memories in the last days of Lauries life. It is so nice to hear about such a loving family and loving caregivers. I will be praying for this family and I hope that they know that they have not only touched the hearts people that they know but also touched the hearts of strangers.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 8:13 PM
I'm in tears.....I prayed for her. Kevin is a very special husband. Let's keep him in prayer. ....
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 11:08 AM
