Laurie McMahon Iverson

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Laurie Iverson Obituary

Laurie McMahon Iverson

Laurie McMahon Iverson experienced a full lifetime of joy, passion and creative energy in her short 48 years. Her indomitable will to live led us all to believe she had more time. Despite her heroic effort, Laurie lost her 7 year battle with cancer. As a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend, her optimism and spirit enriched the lives of everyone she met.

Laurie was born and raised in Seattle. She attended Lakeside and Garfield High Schools where she competed in basketball, volleyball and crew. She attended the University of Hawaii, Washington State University and rowed crew at the University of Washington. Laurie coached middle school and high school basketball and volleyball in both Seattle and Portland. She was an inspiration to young women and a loving and strong role model to her players and colleagues.

After moving to Portland, she was active in her children's schools where she inspired students to create truly unique works promoting fund raising efforts to sustain arts education programs. Laurie was instrumental in the creation of a fitness program to support a study at OHSU on the benefits of exercise for those in treatment of cancer. She also established a Portland branch of Team Survivor, through which women with breast cancer could participate in a variety of fitness activities.

Laurie is survived by her loving husband Tom and two beautiful children, Emma and Tate; her parents, Bill and Gene McMahon; sister Becky McMahon (Tim McDonald), and her pets Leon, Thor and Cuban. Laurie has a large extended family with whom she kept in close contact, including: Aunts Mikel Witte (Joe) of New York, NY, Elizabeth Dadi (Iftikhar) of Ithaca, NY, Lucy Gentry (Richard Meltzer)of Olympia, WA, Mary Schneidler (David) of Mt. Vernon, WA, Ann Ricker (Scott Abbot) of Quilcene, WA, Judy Ricker (Bill Nelson) of Santa Barbara, CA; Uncles Brian McMahon ( Yueli Zhang) of Port Townsend, WA, Pat McMahon of Seattle, WA, Tim McMahon (Cynthia Montagne) of Suquamish, WA, Scott Ricker of Truckee, CA; Cousins Ryan, John, Morgan, Abby, Drew, Josie, Brandon, Connor, Sydney, Rehan, Jake, Ben and Nora. The family wishes to thank the doctors and staff at Compass Oncology for their ongoing care and friendship.

There will be a service in Portland at Trinity Episcopal Church, 147 NW 19th at 1:30 PM, Saturday, October 13, 2012. A wake will follow at the Cider Mill Pub in Hillsdale. Remembrances to the cancer research initiative of your choice.

Sign Laurie's on-line

Gust book at www.Legacy.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Seattle Times on Oct. 7, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Laurie Iverson

8 Entries

Larry Manno

October 21, 2012

Although I never had the opportunity to meet Laurie personally, I could feel the love that her family and friends expressed for her during her memorial service knowing that she will be greatly missed.It was refreshing to see so many caring people remember how much Laurie meant to them and how blessed they were to have know her.

Rebecca Pratt

October 13, 2012

As Program Director of Willowbrook Arts Camp, I look back with gratitude and praise for the support Laurie gave to keep arts alive in local children's lives. She did more than talk the talk. She used her talents and pursued her beliefs with great energy. She gave freely of her time to help improve the world she shared with us all and left it a better, more joyous place. We give thanks for her life and send blessings to her family.

Gerda Jechsmayr

October 13, 2012

I saw her the last time this summer on the playground in Stephenson.
I am so sorry, to learn she has left us, she was such an inspiring positiv person.
She will be greatly missed by the whole community.

October 13, 2012

I am very sorry to hear of Laurie's passing. I got to know Laurie as board chair of Willowbrook, the summer camp Laurie's children went to. The camp had never received a grant, and we needed to transition from our founder and director Althea who had never taken a salary. Laurie was in a PSU course on grant-writing and volunteered to write the grant. I worked closely with Laurie. She was generous with her time and an excellent writer. The Oregon Cultural Trust awarded Willowbrook monies for two years of a new director. On her first foray into grant-writing, Laurie helped sustain a camp that continues strong. Without that work we might well have had to fold. All of us at Willowbrook are deeply saddened by this news and want all who knew Laurie to know of how much we appreciate her.

Peter Thacker

Don and Zinda Foster

October 9, 2012

One cannot know the real loss of a child until you've gone through it. My God knows your pain and I pray to Him to keep you close as you grieve and heal.

sally schuh

October 9, 2012

What a beautiful tribute and a profound loss. Treat yourselves gently, lean on each other and know you are surrounded by friends and loved ones sending their support and love.
Deepest sympathy, sally

Wayne Sacks

October 8, 2012

So sorry for your loss.

Carolyn Paquette

October 7, 2012

Dear Family, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of one of your beautiful Daughters, Laurie! I am shocked she has passed, and can't believe the pain you all must be in, only 48 years old and just a wonderful girl. I am fortunate to have known her briefly, early in her life, through you and my sister Virginia. She was darling and really a beautiful , kind spirit. And with a sense of humor! Thank you for sharing her with me, even though many years ago, I always remember her with pleasure. The painting of the girls in bathing suits with Bill seated, is one of my favorites! Much love and healing, Carolyn Paquette

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