Hi everyone, my name is Sierra Spangler. I’d like to briefly tell you about the life of a woman who was not only a second mother to me during some perilous times of my life, but also a truly amazing woman who raised the most incredible daughter, my best friend and soul-sister Kat. We call her Mama Lori. 

Lori Ann Summers was a LPN (Licensed Practice Nurse), she lead a life dedicated to others. At work she passionately took care of those who were simply unable to care for themselves anymore. Those people who seemed to have been forgotten by society, left alone to their own devices sometimes even by those loved one closest to them who somewhat understandably could not bare the responsibility of it all. 

But not Lori; it didn’t matter the circumstance or the patient, she would consistently show up with a gleaming smile on her face & insurmountable love in her heart to take on the days. Her wards were never transactions to her; they were family; they were her flock; she guided them from this life to the next, a shepherd of the lord in her own spectacular way.

Mama Lori worked vigorously for the ones she loved, sometimes to the point of near exhaustion. Yet even then she always made time to come home with open arms & home, a warm heart, always making sure to make time for her  kids.. ready for action no matter what we threw her way. 

You see our little family began as a group of misfits who all met through our local GDLA (Gloria Dei/Glory To God) youth group. We were all so young; but somehow simultaneously going through utterly life altering events in our current lives. Enter our Protagonist; Mama Lori. She was the warm center of our universe. That person in your life that you meet who just happens to come in at the point in time when you need them most, and in the very instant you meet them somehow their presence already feels like home. 

She saved us. She gave us a safe place to go when some of us just couldn’t go home; she was never too worn after a long day to watch over us, ensuring we were never lead astray. But of course, to me her greatest gift of all was Kat.

I first met Kat when we discovered that we’re both extremely cocky and competitive when it comes to sports. What started as a rivalry; ended with a brand new set family members that I chose to love infinitely. Kat has been an “adult” way longer than she’s been a kid. Let me tell y’all, the work ethic on this girl is tenacious. There is no peak, the simply summit grows evermore. I think a lot of that comes from Lori’s hardworking drive, strong independence, and immense aspirations for her daughter.

Kathleen Sarah Persighetti graduated from Sheridan Hills Christian School in 2012, Navy Boot Camp graduation in October at Baylor same year. She was an Intelligence Specialist in the Navy then became a Cybersecurity Analyst for Citibank in 2016. 

Kat is the reason I’m here. Mama Lori worked to help others until the day she was no longer able. In October of 2016 she was diagnosed with Stage 4 rectal cancer which over time ended up metastasizing in her lungs, liver, pancreas, and kidneys; she was given a hope of 2-3 years tops. That’s when her daughter stepped up to the plate. 

Emulating her mother’s unwavering strength and compassionate nature, Kat took over as Lori’s keeper. She helped her mother & grandmother fly out to Texas to be closer, picked up extra jobs to ensure she had the proper care, even in the moments when her mom wasn’t necessarily herself or lost in between moments of clarity, Kat never broke down. She never faltered. 

I don’t know how all this works, I’ve never made a gofundme before. I lost someone close to me last year but luckily we had a whole village to take care of the arrangements for us so we could take the time to properly grieve. But for Lori.. Kat is the whole dang village. 

I’m making this page because  I know that when Mama Lori was brought home by God she left being so absolutely proud of the wonderful woman who daughter became, so beautiful inside and out. But unfortunately Lori had no life-insurance to help cover her preparations & arrangements so the responsibility is going to be completely out of pocket.

After years of selflessly working non-stop to take care of all the loved ones in her own life; as in her mother did in life; I believe beauty can still be brought with Lori passing. I think both of these unstoppable women deserve some peace. 

Lori never wanted to be cremated, but the cost of a burial starts at about $12,000. Cremation is around $3,000 but neither of us likes to necessarily entertain the idea of going against her wish. 

So please, I implore you. Share this link. Share it with your local church, share it with your best friends & their mothers too, share it with your local healthcare workers, please share it with everyone. 

All it takes is a fraction of kindred spirits like you, with a lil heart & humanity to give a small donation. If you felt touched by Mama Lori’s story please help us fulfill her last request today. Thank you for coming this far and have a truly blessed day.