2023-24 LLL Impact Report - Flipbook - Seite 32
A LEGACY OF
SERVICE
REMEMBERING
LAURIE ROSELLE
In the fall of 2022,
John Harkey, EKU ’79,
reached out about a
100-mile bike ride he
planned to complete in
honor of his friend
Laurie Roselle, who
had been diagnosed
with ALS in September
of 2021. Laurie, a Delta Gamma from Purdue
University, spent her life in dedication to causes
and people she loved. As International President
of Delta Gamma from 2014-16, Laurie served
in many capacities for her beloved sorority as a
dedicated volunteer and champion.
Laurie joined together with her beloved
husband, John Roselle, to spend the last two
years helping to raise more than $225,000 to
fund undergraduate research through Live Like
Lou. John attended the University of Notre Dame,
which has no fraternities, so Laurie worked
behind the scenes to see if Phi Delt offered
alumni initiate opportunities. Earlier this year at
the McKenzie Family President’s Leadership
Conference, John initiated into the Indiana
Gamma Chapter at Purdue University.
Sadly, on August 9, 2024, just shy of three
years since her diagnosis with Lou Gehrig’s
disease, Laurie passed away. Her legacy lives on
in the service to others that she and her beloved
husband of 42 years have established.
d
Just over a year ago on July 26, 2023, Laurie
wrote about her ALS story:
“I woke up this morning with a front row seat on
the struggle bus. It was cloudy and ugly outside
and I felt myself going to the dark side thinking
of all that ALS has taken from me that I miss:
• talking/my voice
• the ability to stand for our Star
Spangled Banner
• walking, writing hand-written notes
• driving
• hugging John
• holding VIPs babies
• washing my own hair
• bathing myself, privacy
• ice skating
• scratching when I itch
• painting, crafting, gift wrapping
• going where/when I want
• eating buttered popcorn
and then I saw a cardinal on the window ledge...
I jumped off that struggle bus because, you may
recall I came to grips with my ALS by feeling I
was to educate and raise funds to 昀椀nd a cure for
ALS... and just like that the sun broke out.”
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