Obituary of Lori Ann North

WEST COLUMBIA-Funeral services for Lori Ann North, 50, of West Columbia, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 3, 2013 at First Baptist Church of Lexington. Pastor Ralph Schneck will officiate. Entombment will follow in Southland Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. The family will greet friends from 5-8 p.m. Friday, August 2, 2013 at Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pawmetto Lifeline, 1275 Bower Parkway, Columbia, SC 29212 or Pets Inc., PO Box 6394 West Columbia, SC 29171. Lori was born on July 15, 1963, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and was the daughter of the late George and Josephine Roder. Lori moved to South Carolina some 25 years ago where she met her husband, Joe. Lori and Joe had a very close, loving relationship and were best friends and companions who were very committed to each other and their marriage. They were side by side every day and you would rarely see one without seeing the other. When Lori was diagnosed with colon cancer a year and a half ago they set out together to find a way for Lori to beat this illness. Although unsuccessful in her quest, Lori fought this disease with great bravery and fortitude. Lori was a kind and caring person who put others ahead of herself. She always had a kind word to say or a kind deed to offer to people less fortunate than her. She worked for Meals on Wheels for several years before her illness made it impossible to continue. Lori's great passion in life was the rescue of homeless animals. She worked with Pet's Incorporated in fund raising activities and in conducting golf tournaments which raised thousands of dollars for the shelter. She also worked with Pawmetto Lifeline in sponsoring many homeless pets located in area shelters to be rescued and has assisted in numerous other pet rescue activities. The love of Lori's life was her daughter Hope, who recently married, Raleigh Gold, on June 8, 2013 in Charleston, SC. Although struggling with her illness in the weeks prior to the wedding, Lori was determined to not be a distraction to her daughter's wedding which had been planned for a year and a half. Lori, with strength only God could give her, had great energy and strength during the entire week. God raised her up for this wonderful event for her cherished daughter. Lori will be greatly missed. Lori leaves behind many, many friends and family members who loved her dearly. She has many close friends all the way from Green Bay to South Carolina. In the past year, she acquired many friends who worked at the Cancer Treatment Center of America near Atlanta, Georgia, and treated her with great compassion and love. The world has lost a truly beautiful person, inside and out, but what the world has lost, heaven has gained. Lori had a strong faith and relationship with our Lord and it guided her through life, particularly in her final days on this earth. She is survived by her husband, Joe R. North and their daughter, Hope E. Gold (Raleigh) of Charleston; sisters, Carol Popour (Jeff), Mary Jo Seefeldt (Mike), and Ann Kelner all of Green Bay, WI.; brothers, Rick Roder (Debbie) of Green Bay, WI., and Don Roder (Carol) of Mesa, AZ; special aunt, Bernice; and many nieces and nephews; and her "furry children", Lilly, Tootsie, Isabella, Christy Lane, Abby and Thumbelina.