Nancy Dillon
Lori had such a sympathy for the dispossessed, the unloved, the neglected making her a vital force to strive to emulate in this far too often selfish world. A former Worthington neighbor, I marveled time and again at Lori's spontaneous helpfulness, generosity, and spiritedness (even if I poo-poohed her "peace, love, happy" mantra). Last Memorial Day, not long out of the hospital, Lori selflessly rallied to have dinner with my sister and me on my birthday (I noticed she barely ate anything) and then later, in true Lori form, she discretely took the check from my sister insisting she wanted it to be her treat. And even with all she had been through, Lori was the one smiling the prettiest at the table, or, for that matter, in the entire restaurant. A memory of being Lori's neighbor was enjoying her talent as a cook. One July day, Lori invited me over for grill-roasted corn-on-the-cob, lobster-mushroom-and-bell-pepper shish-kabobs, and huge margaritas, just one gourmet meal Lori magically "whipped up" on the spur-of-the-moment for us amazed and appreciative neighbors. Lori could outdo Martha Stewart! If you could pick a fellow castaway on a deserted island, I used to say you'd do well to pick Lori. Not only would she probably be able to fix the plane's damaged engine, she'd spear and fry fish, make coconut pina coladas, and be telling jokes of reassurance while appreciating the beauty of the ocean, beach, and sky. An "old soul" in some ways, Lori left us eternally young and for now it is overwhelmingly painfully sad and I am bereft. Lori's spirit will guide us through. My deep sympathies to Lori's family and friends. Nancy D.