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Tributes & Testimonials
Laura passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by immediate family and close friends on February 15th, 2007. A few days later, Planetree (the organization worked for) created a section on their website entitled "A Tribute To Laura Gilpin" where friends, family & colleagues could share their memories of Laura. Although there are too many to list, listed below, and on the following pages, are some of our favorite remembrances:
February 16th @ 6:42 a.m. from a fellow co-worker:
Most of you know that nursing was Laura's second career after a few years in the world teaching English & Writing in New York City. She went to nursing school so that she could make a positive difference for hospitalized children since she still remembers a bad experience when she was "itty bitty". It was time for her to go to the operating room and the nurse came into her room and asked if she wanted to go see the babies that were just down the hall. Of course Laura said yes and off she went. But she never did get to see the babies.
As a pediatric oncology nurse, she insisted on working the night shift so that she would never have to participate in a treatment procedure that would hurt a child. She wanted to be there for them in the middle of the night to comfort them if they woke from a nightmare or pick them up from their bed and gently rock them back to sleep or just be with them as they prepared themselves to face another day. Having learned that after knowing Laura for a few years seemed to add a sense of clarity for why she is so passionate about Planetree and why she wanted every care giver, no matter what their role is, to be able to make a positive difference to patients, family and staff.
Thank you Laura, for your passion, enthusiasm and love. I will hold you in my heart forever.
February 16th @ 10:59 a.m. from a colleague:
I may be one of the few posting a note here who didn't really know Laura personally, though I knew of her as one who has built and championed Planetree since its early years. I met her at a Planetree conference a few years ago and learned then of her history as a nurse, which was the source of her passion for the Planetree model of care. Even ins such a brief meeting, I saw in her something very special and loving and compassionate. And in spite of her considerable intelligence and accomplishments, there was nothing about her that advertised her specialness. It is a testimony to her greatness that in so brief a moment I was so touched by her being and her spirit. Thank you to all of you who knew here well for sharing your stories. I join you in celebrating a great woman and in mourning her passing.
February 16th @ 11:53 a.m. from Brittany Darbro (niece):
My Aunt Laura was a great person. She was so energetic and just so "eccentric" as she would say. When I went down to visit for a weekend with my mom Liz, I hadn't seen my Aunt Laura in a long time. So we were in need of catching up! I told her about how I wanted to change my major. At the time it was still in my head that I thought accounting was not the right career for me. I told her about how my passion was Math and how I though being a secondary, maybe even an elementary teacher would be an amazing choice for me. She was the first person to tell me that she believed that I could teach. She said if you have a passion, go for it. At that point, I changed my major to Math Education and I am sticking to it because she helped me realize that it isn't about all the money and things, it's about doing what you believe is best. My older sister Sara told me about a quote that Laura had once told my mother which will stick with me forever: "If you think money is valuable, wait until you're paying with time". I think that my Aunt Laura needed the final break that she got, being able to make relationships with her family better, sharing home cooked meals, finding the Lord and spending time with loved ones. My Aunt Laura's spirit will live with me forever. And although I will miss her, I know that I will see her again. I love you!