Mary

As I was driving to Louisville this afternoon, I got a call from one of my friends in Lexington. She called to tell me that Mary was gone.

Mary Lafleur was my colleague and deskmate at the University of Kentucky for almost 2 years. We both entered the MA program in 2002, though her focus was on teaching english as a second language (TESL). She was a funny, optimistic, enthusiastic teacher, student, and friend, and I appreciated seeing her every day.

Mary was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, and although th cancer went into remission for a time, it eventually returned, spreading to her brain in the past few months.

Before she decided to get a Master’s degree, Mary had been a performer and writer for children. After the cancer struck, Mary found her voice again and returned to that work. . .go to www.marylafleur.com to see her amazing work.

Lafleur is French for “the flower.” Yes, yes she was is.