Tricia

Over 20 years ago, three families moved into the same ward in Boulder City on the same Sunday.

One of them was us. Another was Lorald and Tricia with their sons, Kent and Luke, almost the same ages as our son, David.

We were the "new kids in town" together and have remained friends and ward "family" all this time.

Lorald is our home teacher. Tricia taught our kids in Primary and our daughter in Young Women. We have partied with them at church and listened to their words of wisdom in Sacrament meetings. Tricia, a school bus driver, helped my mom through her own bus-driver training. Lorald, a carpenter, has helped Mom with remodeling projects. He is also her home teacher. Tricia and I used to joke about our "romantic" evenings, when we would run into them at Costco or WalMart on our Friday night "dates."

Tricia and Lorald have helped us through some rough patches this past year and have mentored family members in working through some serious problems.

Last year Tricia was diagnosed with leukemia. On Christmas day she got sick and ended up in the hospital with pneumonia and H1N1. She was placed in an induced coma and it was touch and go for a while. She got a little better and was released to a rehabilitation hospital.

Last Sunday at church we scheduled housecleaning, meals, and visits for them as Tricia was worried about Lorald now and also craving company. She had a lot of work to do to get back to full mobility, but she was getting better and everyone was optimistic.

Then yesterday she was returned to the hospital and the ICU.

She passed away last night.

No matter where or when I saw Tricia, she was always smiling and upbeat. Even when she was dealing with her own family problems, so was so positive and caring. She was kind and loving and giving. She really was a beautiful person.

She will be missed. The world will be an emptier place without her.