Editor’s note: This story reflects news we received on Monday about Laura Hauser’s death. An earlier version of the story was published in our Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills print editions circulated to readers on June 9 and June 10.
Laura Hauser waged a valiant war against cancer for six years, but lost the battle in the early morning hours of June 8.
(Courtesy of Stephanie Hardy)
The disease started in her colon but had spread all over her body, including her liver, lungs, spine and brain, said Stephanie Hardy, a family friend for the past four years.
Laura had undergone more than 70 rounds of chemotherapy and multiple surgeries, Hardy said.
Laura is survived by her husband, Richard; her son, Noah, 14; and her daughter, Tatum, 12.
Laura had been to Seattle for treatment but had returned to Wesley Chapel to attend Noah’s eighth-grade graduation and Tatum’s dance recitals.
She made it to the graduation, but wasn’t able to go to the recitals. She was able to watch one — that was livestreamed — from her bed.
The family had thought that potential treatment in Seattle offered Laura her best hope and she had planned to return there, but she died at home, under the care of hospice.
Laura’s battle was personal, but she wasn’t alone.
Her fight inspired family, friends, colleagues and strangers to step forward to show their support.
This coming weekend, an event is taking place at Harvester United Methodist Church in Land O’ Lakes to help the Hauser family with expenses.
That fundraiser will go on as planned, Hardy said.
The family also will be helped by a GoFundMe account, established by Pamela Maurer Fay on May 23, which attracted hundreds of donations and sentiments of support.
“You are strong and you are loved. Find strength in the amount of people who wish to help your beautiful family. You are in our prayers,” Rick and Susan Coder wrote, when making their donation.
After learning of Laura’s death, Pasco County Schools tweeted out a message: “Rest in peace, Laura Hauser. A great educator, mom, wife and friend to many. You will be missed.”
Laura worked at Wesley Chapel Elementary School before her illness caused her to leave the job.
While she was working there in 2012, she received the award for School-Related Personnel of the Year for Pasco County Schools. The distinction goes to a noninstructional employee who makes outstanding contributions.
At the time of the award, Laura’s title was media and technology assistant, but both her colleagues and her boss said her influence was far broader.
She was the campus photographer. She handled lunch duty. She shelved books and checked them out. She had a photography club for kids, put together the school’s yearbook and helped teachers with technical issues.
Principal John Abernathy, described her this way: “Laura is hands-down the most reliable, the most efficient, the most dependable, the most sincere person that I can say that I’ve run across in a really long time.
“In terms of the lives that I would say that Laura has touched – I couldn’t even put a number to it. She’s a very passionate person herself, and I think she brings that passion to everything she does. It’s who she is.”
Even more impressive was Laura’s unbridled enthusiasm, despite chemotherapy treatments for her cancer, colleagues said.
Laura has been unable to work for some time, but Richard works three part-time jobs, in addition to being a firefighter and paramedic for Hillsborough County Fire Rescue.
Colleagues and friends from the elementary school have continued to show their support for the family. Recently, Iris Barcelona and Christopher Gorman coordinated WCES Makes a Splash Water Day for Mrs. Hauser.
Rudy Dorough and Kristi Traver Dorough donated the water slide for the event.
Donations were accepted that day to benefit the Hausers.
Friends from the Contempo School of Dance in Lutz also have been in the family’s corner.
They raised money by selling refreshments and T-shirts, said Hardy, whose daughter has danced with Tatum Hauser at the studio.
The dance moms also got together and made dinner for the family for three months, Richard said.
“Strangers would come up and say, ‘Oh, here’s a lasagna.’ I heard about your wife.”
The support has been both tangible and intangible.
“One day, everybody she knew wore blue. Hundreds of people,” Richard said.
The cancer has caused enormous pain and sorrow for Laura and her family, but they also have experienced the incredible kindness of others, Richard said.
Laura’s cancer did not define her, her husband said. It galvanized her determination and demonstrated her strength.
“You don’t really appreciate life, until you face down the barrel of death,” he said.
Services for Laura, who was 40 when she died, are pending.
Benefit for the Hauser family
Where: Harvester United Methodist Church, 2432 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes
When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 13
What: Garage sales, vendors, concessions, 50/50 raffle, raffle items from vendors, bounce house, slide, dunk tank, snow cones and popcorn.
Vendor spaces are 10-by-10 and cost $25, payable to Penny Foote. Each paid vendor is also requested to bring an item for the raffle valued at $20 or higher.
All raffles will be done at the end of the event, and winners do not have to be present to win.
All of the proceeds will go to help the Hauser family. Laura Hauser lost her six-year battle to cancer on Monday, but the benefit will go on.
For more information, call Penny Foote, event coordinator at (813) 996-6959 or (813) 309-9993.
Published June 10, 2015
