Kathleen “Katie” Laramie

Laramie, Kathleen “Katie”, of O’Fallon, Missouri, died on Sunday, January 16, 2011 at the age of 20. Beloved daughter of Brian J. Laramie and Kelly A. Laramie(nee: Gaylord); dear sister of Scott J. Laramie; cherished granddaughter of Joan M. Gaylord; treasured niece of Scott (Diana) Gaylord; dear cousin of Samantha, Bradley and Madison Gaylord; loving goddaughter of Kenneth and Barbara Klages. She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Leonard and Marietta Laramie and Dale Gaylord. Katie was a gifted artist who enjoyed life to its fullest. She knew how to find joy in the little things and has taught many of us to look for it. She was pursuing a degree in Graphic Arts and was in her sophomore year at St. Charles Community College when she was diagnosed with Peritoneal Mesothelioma on August 18, 2009. Her greatest disappointment was not being diagnosed, but having to discontinue classes. She was an honor student who loved school and was determined to get her degree. Katie also loved to cook and was considering going to culinary school after achieving her degree. Katie’s love of life, friends and family was center of her entire being. She was never one to sit still long and if there was nothing going on, then it was time to make something happen. Anything Katie did had to include her music. She loved a wide genre, but her all time favorites were Elvis, the Dixie Chicks and Sheryl Crow. Even, a little Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn! Her other love was music from the 60’s and she always said she was born too late. She was our “little hippie”. Always in tie dye shirts and jeans. She was adamant in her political views and her views of the world, never afraid to tell you if she disagreed and loved a good debate. Katie was strong, courageous, faithful, loyal to a fault, and very loving. She sometimes seemed to have a “hard shell” but inside was a tender soul. She was a very confident young woman who achieved anything she set her mind on. Even though 20 years was such a brief time here, Katie lived more in that 20 years than most of us do in our lifetime. She taught us to look for the good in everyone, to seek out fun and laughter. She taught us strength in so many ways. We love you our Katie girl. You were a bright ray of sunshine who illuminated every life you touched. Daddy and I were supposed to teach you how to live your life and we now believe that God sent you to teach us. Thank you baby. Your Daddy, your twin brother and I will always be with you and you with us. Always! We love you, we thank you and we are all so proud of you and the way you lived your life. We will see you again our love, in the blink of an eye! The only way out is through! Memorials may be made to SSM Hospice.