A celebration of life for Jessica Marie Laramore will be held Saturday, Jan. 25, from 1-4 p.m., at the Everett Labor Temple, 2812 Lombard Ave., Everett.
Jessica was born Feb. 5, 1966, in Seattle to Lesley Schnurr Wood and Scott Wood. She spent many years in Oak Harbor with her aunt, uncle and family, Sherry and Ed Fakkema. While in Oak Harbor she attended Oak Harbor Christian School, Oak Harbor Junior High and graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 1984. While at Oak Harbor High School she was a cheerleader, participated in track amd cross country, and was active in First Reformed Church youth groups.
Jessica attended Bellevue Community College before moving to Auburn, Ala. She graduated from Auburn University with a degree in early childhood and special education in 1991.
The snow and mountains called Jess to Colorado. She lived in Steamboat Springs, Colo., and directed the only infant care center there. She married Phil Laramore and together they have one daughter, Alexandra Sky, born in 1995.
Jessica was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer in 1999. After a period of remission during which she ran the Run for the Cure Susan G. Komen Triathalon in August 2002, the cancer reappeared in September 2002. Surrounded by family and friends, she was lifted up on eagle’s wings from her home on Nov. 17, 2002. A memorial service was held Nov. 23, 2002, in Littleton, Colo., where the family was living at the time of her death.
Jessica is survived by her husband Phil, daughter Alexandra, her mother Lesley Rockney of Renton, her half-sister Christy Sidhu and husband Neil of Everett, Doug and Laurie Fakkema of Anacortes, Dale and Theresa Fakkema of Oak Harbor, David and Carolyn Fakkema of Blaine, five nephews, four nieces, numerous relatives, loving friends and her faithful dogs Midas and Dawson.
Memorials may be made to: Oak Harbor Christian School, 675 E. Whidbey Ave., Oak Harbor, WA 98277 or The Komen Foundation, PO Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309.