Our dear friend, sister, mother, Lauri Sylvia Hunter went home to be with her Lord on Sunday evening, November 27th, 2022. We are missing her welcoming voice and laughter, her eyes bright with an open invitation, but we know she is delighted as she dances in heaven.
She began life in the loving arms of Bill and Veronica McCloskey on May 16th, 1953, in Detroit. Four younger sisters would soon follow her into the world. Descendants of a Welch-Irish and Pennsylvania Dutch family on one side and pure Italian on the other, Lauri flourished in her all-American, church going childhood, thriving in a wonderful close-knit community. She graduated from LSU, married her childhood sweetheart, and gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Jacob, in February 1979, while they were living in Boston.
In May of 1979, Lauri contracted polio from a live polio virus. Within days, she became totally paralyzed. For months, she was hooked to a respirator, a feeding tube, and a catheter in critical care. Lauri was released to a hospital for rehabilitation, yet after months of hard work, the mobility of her legs and her arms never returned. Friends and family gathered around her with love and support. She fought against anger and hopelessness; she returned home to a ramped entrance to her apartment, confined to a hospital bed and a wheelchair, and her new adventure began.
Becoming a single mom in 1984, Lauri was dependent on caregivers for every daily (and evening!) activity. Her caregivers came from many different countries, and many different life experiences. Irish, Japanese, Indian, Egyptian, Mexican, French, Columbian, Slovakian, a Chinese woman who spoke no English, and David from Israel who was terrified of ‘meece’! Her caregivers came in the form of a wild child, single moms, teen girls, Mormon gentlemen, Jehovah witness women, a Muslim girl, a woman who introduced her to Christian counseling, a woman recovering from drug addiction, a woman fleeing an abusive relationship and a woman working her way through law school. They all expanded her world view; she expanded their view of kindness and patience and compassion. As they cared for her, she encouraged them. From Boston to Houston to Atlanta, Lauri established a pattern; caregivers became friends and friends became caregivers. The magnitude of her care needs would have been overwhelming if she hadn't had so many people for over 40 years who loved her!
In May 1986, after the invitation of a kind woman and the pleading of her 7-year-old son Jacob, Lauri attended a Baptist church, accepted Jesus as her Savior and received baptism. Moving to Atlanta to be close to family in 1990, Lauri found a church home and continued to thrive. She studied the bible, became involved in church ministries, hosted a small group in her home, and entered into deep and rewarding relationships. Her strength was prayer, her confidence became grounded in her growing understanding of God’s Word and His purpose for her as a missionary in her own home. She didn’t need to go to foreign countries, He brought those who needed to know God to her. Her door was always open.
“How do you describe Lauri?” we ask each other. Ellen, who shared lunch with her under the oak trees by the lake outside their work in Baton Rouge describes her big heart, her wonderful smile and her laughter and how she never met a stranger.
Vivian showed up to interview as a caregiver but stayed for 20 years as a friend instead. They traveled together sharing favorite trips to The Monastery in Conyers, Amicalola Falls, and St. Simons. On an outing when a woman and her children wanted to pet Jake, Lauri’s first service dog, Lauri graciously and warmly responded to them in Spanish and a conversation ensued. Lauri sent out cards of encouragement, including adopting the Governor Roy Barnes for a year and even going to visit him at the capital. She became an advocate for people with disabilities. Lauri also had Vivian writing out scriptures on post-its to plaster on Jacob’s mirror when he was in high school – making sure he had God’s Word in his mind and in his heart.
Ann saw in Lauri the descriptions of the Psalmist; bold and stouthearted, leaning on God through what appeared to be insurmountable challenges. Serving together in Community Bible Study, Lauri made a commitment to lead others when it would have been much easier to step away; constantly trusting that God would fulfill His purpose in her. And oh, she loved a good party! Elise, who also met Lauri in the corridors of CBS, describes her as a lover of all, appreciative of the gift of life from her Lord. Loyal to friends and family, Lauri was a peacemaker with an infectious smile, and a prayer warrior extraordinaire. Tricia came to visit Lauri and ended up walking her service dog Russet faithfully pretty much every day for six years. She began to realize Lauri’s light was brightly shining on everyone around her, like a light upon a hill.
Marilee found a home in Lauri’s home and became her hands and feet and her encourager in practical matters. They were each other’s constant, singing songs to greet the morning. Her caregiver Laurann called her God’s work of art. Loving life to the fullest, Lauri’s positive spirit filled every room she entered. Peggy was a friend who became a caregiver every chance she got because Lauri was a patient and gracious teacher and receiver and made it easy to help her with her needs. Playing and praying together, Lauri taught Peggy by example how to adore the Lord instead of just showing up with a list of needs.
Her next-door neighbor, Roz, described Lauri as someone who asked for so little, but gave so much to anyone in need. There is a memory that will never be forgotten of a power outage, candles and soup by the fireplace and much laughter.
Her sisters. From Lisa, who was in nursing school when Lauri became paralyzed, “The Lord wove together a beautiful tapestry these 40 years of a multitude of people whose lives would be forever changed because they had known Lauri. I am one of those people. She was my oldest sister, my friend and my ‘most interesting patient’.” Her sister Joy saw the wonder of God making something broken into a miracle of beauty and purpose. Lauri reached out to others with strength, perseverance, humor, and dignity. Anyone who came into her home became family. Her sister Nancy decided the word ‘Grace’ was the perfect description of the way Lauri handled everything that came her way: confinement to a wheelchair, divorce, raising a baby as a quadriplegic, cancer not once but twice! “It is quite staggering to think about the lives she has touched.” The people who made up Lauri’s village did not think about what they did to serve her, but what she did for them. She was a cheerleader during hard times, prayed for others passionately, loved with fierceness. And those now familiar words come again; She was an exceptional person filled with compassion, grace, and the biggest heart.
Lauri’s son Jacob is an accomplished chef, getting his start in the kitchen with Lauri when he was a very young boy. He was her hands as they prepared their daily meals. He fondly remembers listening to music together, watching the World Series games, and how she played soccer with him using her head. There was a positive vibe in their house; Selfless, she thought of others over herself. Jacob always had Lauri’s unconditional support as she prayed fervently for his success in every endeavor. Lauri welcomed her daughter-in-law with open arms and a loving heart. Alex shared, “Lauri was so supportive of our relationship and always offered advice and a listening ear. With her kind words she assured us we were doing a good job.” She saved every article about the restaurants Jacob helmed, in Atlanta bringing her clan to ‘bask in a food coma’. She was so proud of him - as a chef - and she loved watching Jacob become a father.
Lauri was thrilled to become a grandmother to Cash (now 6) and Teddy (now 3). ‘Nina’ gave them rides on her chair, created an obstacle course in the apartment for them to run, and they played hide and seek together. Resourceful, she saved boxes for them to color and play 'house' in. Each Christmas they journeyed to Lenox to take their photo with Santa. The boys will remember snacking on trail mix and the Jewish cookies she set aside specially for them.
As one close friend wrote, “Lauri miraculously lived with one foot in heaven for many years and we will celebrate the victory of her just putting the other foot in heaven. She inspired us. We all experienced comfort and unconditional love with her. It blossoms in our heart, and she will always be a part of who we are in Christ.”
Those who were lucky enough to be embraced by Lauri watched as she lived out her favorite promise from her Lord:
…but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31
We will allow Lauri to speak for herself. “Thank the Lord we can be honest with Him, as the Psalm writers poured out their feelings in the Psalms, we can do the same. He has taught me to rejoice with or mourn with those who cross my path. People who come to my home find a sanctuary with a soft place to fall on the sofa, a listening ear, affectionate Russet to pet, and a kitchen that is always open. It brings me great joy to share the grace and mercy that God has given me. I didn’t even have to go around the world to be a missionary. I am blooming where God planted me!”
She is missed by her son Jacob Scot Hunter, his wife Alex Duritza and their two sons, Cash and Teddy. Her sister Lisa Alexander (married to Jack Alexander) and their three children; John (married to Kay – James, Will, Sam and Claire), Kurt (married to Melissa – Jack and Catherine) and Matt (married to Virginia – Charles and Elizabeth). Her sister Joy Drew (married to Jim Drew) and their four children; Sarah Ridenour (married to Charlie – Eleanor & Bennett and pregnant with her third), Julie, Stephen (married to Brittany Dunavan) and Kate. And her sister Nancy Herbert (married to Mark Herbert) and their two children; Amelia and Kylee; her daughter Joanna Allen (married to Brandon) and their six children (Devan, Savannah, Rachel, Joshua, Kate, and Caroline). Her sister Annette McCloskey and her parents William and Veronica predeceased her.
Friends are invited to join us at Westminster Presbyterian Church (1438 Sheridan Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30324) on Friday, January 6th, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. to honor Lauri and celebrate her beautiful life. The service will also be available to Live Stream on the following link - https://youtu.be/GcuRPRNQtiI
The family requests in lieu of flowers please consider donating in Lauri’s memory to Intown Community Church or Canine Assistants.
Canine Assistants
3169 Francis Road
Alpharetta, GA 30004
Intown Community Church
2059 Lavista Road
Atlanta, GA 30329
https://tinyurl.com/intownforlauri
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