Laura Hart Burdick

Laura Hart Burdick Laura Hart Burdick, 33, of Scottsdale, Arizona, slipped from the arms of her loving family at 8:52 p.m. on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 at Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, California. Laura was born and raised in Bloomington, Illinois. She graduated from University High School in Normal, Illinois in 1990 and attended the University of Illinois, Champaign, where she was affiliated with Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. Laura encountered a series of health issues in her life, beginning with a diagnosis of leukemia in 1992, and culminating in a lung transplant performed at Stanford University Medical Center in January 2003. Laura chose not to allow those challenges to define her life or limit her dreams. She completed her Bachelor's degree in finance at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix and received her MBA from the University of Phoenix. Laura derived great personal gratification from her work as Finance Director with Phoenix Body Positive, a non-profit agency serving the needs of people living with HIV, where she worked until her surgery in 2003. After her recovery, Laura directed her passion toward the creative arts. This fall, she was completing her degree in Interior Design, and was enthusiastic about her pending internship at Wiseman and Gale Interiors in Scottsdale. Far more significant than her academic and professional achievements, though, were her personal attributes. Laura had an unbelievably strong spirit that not only sustained her, but buoyed all those who knew and loved her. She was a vital, sensitive, courageous, feisty, and incredibly compassionate person, who lived her too-brief life with abundant grace and dignity. Laura was even more beautiful on the inside than she was on the outside. She inspired everyone who knew her. Laura treasured her family beyond all else, and the void she leaves in our lives is beyond measure. Left to cherish her memory and live by her example are her devoted husband, Jonathan R. Burdick of Scottsdale; her mother and step-father, Jane and Craig Hart of Hudson, Illinois; her father and step-mother, John and Wendy Major of Mt. Carroll, Illinois; and all her beloved siblings and in-laws: Ben Major of San Francisco; Johanna Major of Mt. Carroll; Bruce and Nadine Hart of Paradise Valley, Arizona; Brian Hart and Lora Hall of Lake Forest, Illinois; Ben and Katie Hart of Bloomington, Illinois; Dr. and Mrs. George Burdick of Paradise Valley; Scott Burdick of Paradise Valley; and Susan and Jeff Hull of Phoenix; also surviving are Laura's grandmothers, Maxine Heggie of Scottsdale, Barbara Major of Traverse City, Michigan and Phyllis Munce of Irvine, California. Laura held a special place in her heart for her nieces and nephews. Jennifer and Ashley Hull and Chase, Michael and Helene Hart will miss the doting affection of their Aunt Laura. Laura's extended family and countless friends find their lives saddened and diminished by her loss, but find solace in the knowledge that her spirit will abide with us always. We will celebrate the gift of Laura's life at Troon Country Club in Scottsdale, the site of Laura and Jon's wedding, on Thursday, September 22 at 5:00 p.m. A service also will be held in Laura's home town of Bloomington, Illinois at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 25 at Lake Bloomington, where Laura was born. Laura was passionate about so many things in her life, but most passionate about finding means to help support patients and families who must cope with serious or chronic illness. Laura's family requests that memorials be made to a fund in Laura's name at First Arizona Savings, which will be dedicated to fulfilling this aspiration for her. Please contact Tom Rose, Manager, First Arizona Savings, 480-481-8500 for further information.

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