Statesman Journal (Salem, OR)

Statesman Journal (Salem, OR)

August 13, 2004

Inspiring Oregon author dies at 58

Author: Freelance OK

Section: Life
Page: 1E

Estimated printed pages: 3

Article Text:

Laurel Lee captured life's joys and pain in best-selling books

correction: Because of an editor's error, the name of Laurel Lee's book, "Laurel Lee's Journal," was incorrect on Page 1E on Friday.

BY DAN HAYS

For the Statesman Journal

Oregon inspirational author Laurel Lee died Tuesday. She was 58.

Hers was a life not only examined in the best sense of the word but made public so that anyone who cared to could benefit from her experiences.

She wrote and published a series of books that chronicled her life - all its joys and troubles.

And troubles were plentiful. Lee married three times and was diagnosed with terminal Hodgkin's disease in the late 1970s and given a year to live. More than 30 years after that diagnosis, she finally succumbed to pancreatic cancer at her home on a Christmas tree farm near Canby.

How she turned her pain into words can be glimpsed in this passage from "Laura Lee's Jou! rnal." It is about seeing her first husband, now her ex, with his pregnant girlfriend.

"A personal offense is like a scratch on a phonograph record. I couldn't move my thoughts beyond my pain. It kept repeating, as if I were stuck within its grooves. There was only one way to play beyond it. I had to forgive them, so my heart could take its form again."

Born Oct. 21, 1945, in Chicago, Lee attended Pacific University and the University of California at Berkeley. She served as a creative writing professor at George Fox University in Newberg for nine years and was an adjunct professor for several educational institutions.

Those are the bare facts of her life. The significant facts are more visceral.

Lee's illnesses and pain served as the basis for her books, and they inspired a great many people.

No one knows, of course, how many people were inspired by Lee to view their lives differently. Based on the sales of her books - two of which were n! ational best sellers - that figure could reach into the millions.

A Christian woman who was close to her faith, Lee said in a 2004 interview published in the Oregonian: "I've traveled to 50 countries, but I've never been to Heaven."

It was obvious to those who knew her work that she was looking forward to her next destination.

Her modesty also shines through in all her books.

"A disease and its treatment can be a series of humiliations, a chisel for humility," she once wrote.

Lee's books also include "Walking Through the Fire: A Hospital Journal," which became a successful CBS TV film in 1979; "Signs of Spring," "Mourning Into Dancing," "Godspeed: Hitchhiking Home" and her last work, "Tapestry," published by Lighthouse Trails of Silverton a month ago.

These tales of her life constitute her real legacy.

"Tapestry" is a book that more or less fills gaps in her other books. She rushed to finish it and get it published.

When the pancreatic cancer was diagnosed, she was given three months to l! ive, but she managed to survive nearly a year and see her last book published.

While her earlier works were released by some of America's largest publishers (E.P. Dutton, Harper & Row, HarperCollins), "Tapestry" went to the Silverton publisher because she knew they could do a good job - and quickly.

Lee wrote in a plain style that revealed her intelligence and education. Her compassion and love for her family shine through every word.

Lee endured life's challenges with forgiveness and hope.

She lost her last fight, as all of us will. But she never gave up. She never stopped loving her family, and she never stopped seeing life as a God-given gift.

In "Laura Lee's Journal," she wrote of the time just after she received the Hodgkin's diagnosis:

"I cried, I wept sore. I wanted the privilege of guiding the arrows of my children and giving them the wisdom that could shoot them into the high place."

Those who loved Lee, whether ! they knew her as a person or as an author, have an opportunity to than k her and to say farewell. Her obituary, written by her husband, childrens' book author Mike Thaler, ends with these words: "A `Celebration of Life' for Laurel's homecoming will be held on Tuesday, August 17th at 4 p.m. at Tualatin Foursquare Church, 18080 SW Lower Boones Ferry Road in Tualatin, Oregon. A potluck will follow. Floral arrangements can be sent to the church. Church phone is (503) 603-0303. This is a celebration service - please wear colorful attire."

This is in keeping with Lee's writing. Despite everything, she celebrated life, God and her faith.

She wanted us all to do the same.

But we hope she won't mind if we miss her.