You are in my thoughts today Jen. I hope your memories of Lor bring you comfort. She was quite a force of nature

Thinking of you, precious girl, and loving you always.

I still miss my friend and cry when I realize she isn’t on this earth anymore. I try to believe Lori is living it up in Florida. 
She was one in a million

Another sad anniversary. I re-read the other tributes. Everyone agrees Lori was a shining star. I too remember her big smile and laughing often with her. She is still missed. Gone too soon...

“Even when she's difficult, when the fight is too much, there's something about her, some romance, some power. She's absolutely herself. No matter how hard you try, you'll never get to her. And when she dies, the world will be flat, too simple, reasonable, fair. Life will not be the same without her. I will not be the same without her."
I love you mom. I miss you.

Hey mom. It’s been 8 years since you left us and I miss you everyday. I promise to play your favorite songs extra loud today, including The Greatest Showman ( you would’ve been obsessed with the movie. You adored Hugh Jackman lol) Give my love to Mimi, Papa and dad. I’ll love you always.

Happy Birthday Lori!! It's your special day! Thinking of you and all the joy and laughs you shared with all of us. Such great memories!
Love, Marilyn

I never thought this is where I'd locate my friend, Lori. I was looking for Lor's address to send a couple of pictures I had saved. 
Lori and I worked together in DC in the late 70's and we had wonderful, fun filled friendship. We stayed friends throughout the years, but once I left Florida to relocate back to Connecticut, we saw less of each other. I did get to spend time with she and Jennifer throughout the years. Her bond with Jen was one of the most beautiful I've ever seen. Jen hung the moon as far as Lori was concerned. Lori was one of the funniest, smartest and loving person I have ever met. I will never forget you, Lori.  You, Doll and Jack continue to love and protect Jenny from heaven.

Thinking of you today Lori. Miss you.

Gosh, 3 years, I still think about you lots Lori and hoping Jenny is well and living a full healthy life.
ooxx
Deb

This is Bill Fink, Lori's brother of her mother. I have not heard from Lori since approx. 2010 and decided to google her name and was shocked to see of her passing. Did not know of her health suffering until reading this. I hope Jen is doing well. I vacation in Fla. on west coast yearly. Lost contact with Lori when she moved from her home in Jenson Beach.

Uncle Bill

Hey Mom,

I know it's been a while since I've been on here, but I know I talk to you every day. You were loved so much by so many and still are. I miss having goofy times with you and having our lunches out together. I was just missing you, Mimi and Papa today. Dad too, I guess.Hope you all are up there having a great time. No fighting! Haha. I love you and miss you every day.

It has been 2 years and I still think of you often along with Jenny. Forever in my heart, Lor,

Thinking happy, funny, loving thoughts of you, sweet girl!

I was curious to see what had become of Lori and found this memorial when I googled her name. It had been many years since we were in touch, with her move to Florida and then both of us moving on in our lives, getting remarried and having families. I am so sad to see that she has passed away. I wish I had gotten in touch with her. Although our time together was short I have many fond memories of her, Jack and Doll. We spent lots of time laughing and enjoying each other. She certainly was silly and goofy. Lori helped me to grow as an adult and to be a more mature and successful person. I always thought that Lori had one of the most dynamic personalities of anyone I've met. She was a very strong woman and was very successful when I knew her. I'm so glad to see she had a daughter, having a child was something she very much wanted. Jenny you certainly have her good looks. I'm sorry you have lost her but I'm sure the wonderful memories will always be with you. Jenny if it something that interests you,feel free to reach out to me and I can share some of my memories and good times I had with your Mom.

I miss you mom,every day. I just went through a box when Mark and I were unpacking the garage and I found a box sealed so tight. It was labeled "memories". Not in my handwriting though. I found sooooo many pictures of you and Mimi and Papa and your friends. And letters galore! Back from your Conestoga days!i love you so much and hope you watch over me with Chloe! I know you'd love her as a puppy so much!

Hey Jenny,
  I'm Glad I found this page. R.I.P Lori I love you, always.Man how time flies... I miss so many of those perfect days that I never took for granted I miss them too much. They are truly years in the past. Many of those amazing memories include your wonderful mother, she was so giving, helpful and kind to me and my brother. I will never forget her, you or any of those days at the Tennis Club's pool/Court's, Egret Lakes, The Town Houses, Lyton ct, The Georgia(Family Reunion!), My dad's House or Jensen Beach. I hope someday soon we can have some more!

Sincerley, Nick Zapetis nzapeti@gmail.com

Hey Mom,

Well, you'll never believe it. I'm back in school. I'm going back to school for my bachelor's in Human Services. I told my advisor that you were a social worker and she said I came from a "helper". I smiled because I know it is true. I still can't believe you're gone. I just think we're going through another tough time and yet I always ended up at your door just to hug you. You were always so little!! Everytime I hugged you I would smell something different, yet the same nostalgic scent. You had your beauty creams and perfumes from france and no matter how tired you were, those hazel eyes would get me every time.

It seems like it was a ritual. You would answer the door in your silk pajamas and I would come in and immediately start doing your dishes. I'd make you your favorite parmesean flatbread and we would talk for hours on end. You'd catch me up on the latest Grey's Anatomy and Scandal while I did a load of laundry for you. We'd talk about traveling and how much you just wanted to get out and see the world. I wish so much that I could have given that to you.You'll never guess what! Remember how much you loved the Thirsty Turtle in Juno? It opened here in PSL! Right off Gatlin! I know we wouldve had a blast there and you would go crazy for their grouper lol. You've always been a sucker for grouper.

I love you and miss you everyday, Mom. Forever and for always

Jenny, Think of you often and I hope things are going well for you. With the passing of each year the loss becomes more bearable. I hope your life is full with many good things and people that love you.

ooxx Debbie

The first time I met Lori, we were at the Tennis Club of the Palm Beaches pool, she was pregnant with Jen, and rocking a white bikini and a massive tan! I thought she was the funniest, hippest, most genuine woman I had ever met. I thought right. We became friends. She got me a job. She taught me to listen to my children. She held my hand through a divorce. She held my hand through a subsequent boyfriend/break-up. She empowered me. Totally. I would not be the person that I am today if not for her. She was real, and kind, and hilarious. And, I miss her. Love you, girl. Miss you, too.

My thoughts and prayers are with Lori's lovely daughter Jenny today. Lori was definitely "gone too soon" and we all miss her.

It has almost been 1 year since my mom's passing. There hasn't been a day or a night that I haven't thought about her. Dreams come nightly and she is in every one of them. Everytime I wake up because I feel the dream is so real or there is such a dawning moment when I know that she is gone, there is a favorite memory I go back to. It's Christmas time and I am four years old. Most people may think the human mind is too young to retain memories at that age, but I completely remember. Right down to the pajamas I was wearing. My mom always wanted to give me everything she could and that Christmas was no exception. it was the second year my father wasnt around so we made it our own. I remember us setting up the antique wooden chairs all aroung our tiny living room, lighting up the christmas tree and playing a melody of christmas carols on the cassette player while we danced in our pajamas with homemade tambourines. I remember stepping over one of the antique chairs and stopping. I stopped and turned arounf to look at my mom and tell her that I thought this was the best christmas ever. It was. To this day, it still is.

You, see, too everyone who knew my mother, she was a giver. A lover. A hardworker. A friend. And yes, a really good fighter lol. As I quote one of our favorite movies (which we also loved to hate because it could describe us so well), Even when she's difficult, when the fight is too much, there's something about her, some romance, some power. She's absolutely herself. No matter how hard you try, you'll never get to her. And when she dies, the world will be flat, too simple, reasonable, fair. Life will not be the same without her. I will not be the same without her."
― Mona Simpson, Anywhere But Here

As a casual observer of the wolf-pack Lori was definitely the leader of that pack.
Today in your honor we shared old stories...some where even true, and we laughed as Lori would have wanted us to do. Gone but not forgotten.

Lori and I drifted in and out of each others lives since we were First Communion partners in the 2nd Grade. We reconnected a few years later in Girl Scouts, then a few years later in High School, then several years later when we were living in Florida, and trying to come up with hair styles that could withstand humidity! That was when I had the pleasure of meeting her adorable daughter Jenny (who at that time was about 5 years old, and the spitting image of Lori with the same beautiful eyes and great smile). Whenever I think of Lori, I remember her beautiful smile and her great laugh! Lori could make me laugh so hard my sides would hurt! It's hard to believe she is gone -- I was hoping to reconnect with her again now that our children are all grown up and I am moving back to FL. Instead, maybe our Navy children will cross paths sometime, somewhere. Jenny, please keep in touch! XO

Lori and I drifted in and out of each others lives since we were First Communion partners in the 2nd Grade. We reconnected a few years later in Girl Scouts, then a few years later in High School, then several years later when we were living in Florida, and trying to come up with hair styles that could withstand humidity! That was when I had the pleasure of meeting her adorable daughter Jenny (who at that time was about 5 years old, and the spitting image of Lori with the same beautiful eyes and great smile). Whenever I think of Lori, I remember her beautiful smile and her great laugh! Lori could make me laugh so hard my sides would hurt! It's hard to believe she is gone -- I was hoping to reconnect with her again now that our children are all grown up and I am moving back to FL. Instead, maybe our Navy children will cross paths sometime, somewhere. Jenny, please keep in touch! XO

I felt Lori would enjoy this story, I hope you do to


The Lady named Rose

The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder.
I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being..
 
She said, 'Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?'
I laughed and enthusiastically responded, 'Of course you may!' and she gave me a giant squeeze..

'Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?' I asked.
 
She jokingly replied, 'I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, and
have a couple of kids...' No seriously,' I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age.
'I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!' she told me.
 
After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake. We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this 'time machine' as she shared her wisdom and experience with me..
 
Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up.
 
At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football
banquet. I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and
stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her
prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor.
 
Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, 'I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this
whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me
just tell you what I know.' As we laughed she cleared her throat and began, ' We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing. There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die.
 
We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it!
 
There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up.
 
If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't
do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am
eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight.
 
Anybody! Can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change. Have no regrets. The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets.
 
She concluded her speech by courageously singing 'The Rose.'
 
She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our
daily lives. At the year's end Rose finished the college degree she had
begun all those months ago.
 
One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep.
 
Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be.
 
When you finish reading this, please send this peaceful word of advice to your friends and family, they'll really enjoy it!
 
These words have been passed along in loving memory of ROSE.
 
REMEMBER, GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY. GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL. We make a living by what we get. We make a Life by what we give. God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

There is a memorial mass for Lori :
Saturday, March 29th, 11:30 AM

Daylesford Abbey
220 S. Valley Road
Paoli, PA 19301
Phone: 610.647-2530

Please respond to this post if you will be attending the Memorial Mass. The attending priest will gather everyone after the Mass and would like a general "head count".

Please "share" this post on your Facebook page to spread the word. Thanks!

I was a friend of Lori's in high school. We were part of a group of 13 girls some called the "wolf pack". Lori and I had many fun times together. Lori and I played field hockey together and were in the senior talent show with the rest of the pack doing a routine to "Everything Coming up Roses". During one of our field hockey practices our coach (who was wonderful) said the ball was taking us around like we had a ring in our nose. So the next practice Lori and I showed up with a notebook ring in our nose :-) (I think we were the only ones who thought that was funny.) Just one of many fond memories with Lori - Great memories of lunches together and just "hanging out". Lori was always bubbly and full of fun - I send my condolences for your loss.

I met Lori through my sister Marilyn I will always remember Lori with a smile She was fun to be around and always made you laugh I have some great memories from visiting the girls the summer they rented the house at the shore, especially when they convinced me to ride along with Bob while my hair was in rollers to go get ice from a near by hotel "no one would see me" I had to walk home Who knew it was against the law?? Anyway Lori made sure I had a friend in junior high when she introduced me to her mother "Doll" who worked in the guidance office You certainly knew where she got her sense of humor from She will be missed

Lori, Lori, Lori....my memories are only fond...and full of passion and promise...I am so sad to know that you died alone...I only learned now, in the news of your death, of your struggle in life...I too, had struggles...and thought that I was the only one...what is that about... that we struggle alone...when in reality we share so much and could be there for each other.......???? I remember listening to WFIL and singing along at the top of our lungs...to "All that's left is a band of gold"...I have never heard that song in the past 30 years without thinking of Lori Hickson!  We moved quickly on to the Doors, Janice Joplin, and Jimmy Hendrix...We actually saw Jimmy Hendrix LIVE at the Spectrum...thanks to Pam Jones and her sophisticated taste in music and her father who was willing to be our escort! Y dances...the mall...Lori always had the best make up! She was madly in and out of love with Bob....Lori was attracted to the "bad boys"...as was I...with the exception of one sweet love....When I think of Lori...I think of her concocting something crazy and fun to do....laughing ...singing...dancing...rocking her hockey skirt and stick...and then too... staring off into space....pulling her hair...one strand at a time from root to end....with her thumb and middle finger....I was never really sure what she was thinking about....to You LORI..and to PAM and to LINDA....with love....and a bit of sadness...Jane

Lori and I were friends in high school- I remember playing tennis with her a lot one summer- she was always tan and always smiling- she was also very competitive! I am sorry that I did not keep track of my Conestoga friends because i moved after junior year- much sympathy to you, jenny!

I knew Lori in high school. Her boyfriend and mine were best friends and we had a lot of good times. :) I too remember her laughter and her smile and I can picture her up in heaven joking around with Pam Jones right now! Jenny, I love the picture of you and your Mom. You're a beautiful young lady and I appreciate the career path you chose.:) I'm sure your Mom is proud of you and will be smiling down on you each and everyday. Our high school days were a lot of fun and your Mom helped to make them that way! Love and blessings, Carol

Where do I begin..... I have so many emotions i have to smile when i think of all the amazing times we shared. I am blessed to have known you Lor. Jenny i will always, always be here for you. You have all the good plus that your mom had. May God bless you both. I will always keep you in my heart Lor - always! I hope your feet are in the blue water and the sun is shining on your face. Be at peace. I love you.

Lor, Thanks for making my high school years so much fun! And, thank you for the honor of being in your wedding, it was so lovely. You will always be in our heart and the memories of you will continue to bring a smile to my face. Lor, you did a fabulous job of raising a beautiful and loving daughter-your legacy will live on. Jenny, stay strong and know anytime you want to talk about you Mom I am always here to share. I hope someday I have the opportunity to meet you. xxoo

Fond memories of Lori from high school. Very funny, always laughing - a very integral part of our senior year at Conestoga! Will miss you Lori!!

I met Lori in 10th grade in high school. She was fun and funny. We quickly became good friends. Through her I met many of her friends who also became mine. Really wonderful people! Lori and I stayed in close touch through college. We shared a summer home in Stone Harbor in 1973 (or '74) along with Debbie Swope, Cathy Stevens, and Margo Paddock. It was a great summer! Dancing to the blaring of the Beach Boys, "borrowing" roses from the rose bushes of Stone Harbor, to decorate our apartment, girls nights out, and cheese steak sandwiches from the Steak Out. Lori was always the center of the fun. Who could forget Lori's "gift for gab". She was always on the telephone. She was a great athlete enjoying field hockey and lacrosse in high school. She received a broken nose and two black eyes to prove it. (maybe even some awards) One of Lori's favorite "remember whens" was when she had dinner at my house with my family. She shook the bottle of salad dressing, not realizing the lid was off...the dressing went all over our dining room...lol.. During the summers in high school we would drive around Berwyn and Devon looking for where the guys were "hanging out". Always laughing...she would ask me to teach her "cheers"; Performing "Everythings Coming Up Roses" in the Senior Variety Show with her and our whole "gang" . Any chance Lori got she would break out into her rendition of "We'll be swell we'll be great...!" She told me that she later, of course, performed it for her daughter, Jenny; I got my braces off just before my senior year. The first place I went was to see Lori...she didn't notice!! We had so many fun times and memories. I will miss her and her laugh...