In Loving Memory of Laurie Edger-Mead

A friend of the family has set up this Go Fund Me page. This fund will provide relief for the family because no one should worry about financial burdens in the face of something this tragic and devastating.

Laurie Edger-Mead, born Laurie Scriven in 1966, lost her two-year battle with neuroendocrine small cell lung cancer on Friday, April 8th, 2022. Laurie did have medical insurance and some life insurance, so the family counts themselves lucky not to have to worry about their future financial stability after Laurie's two-year-long illness. However, during this unexpected ordeal, the family dropped everything to be with Laurie. Of course, who wouldn’t? But this left four adults supporting three households with no income coming in, expensive flights being booked, and almost two weeks of meals while they sat vigilant and hopeful.

Laurie was born and raised in Elmira, New York. She attended college in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a place that would hold a special place in her heart for the rest of her life. After graduating college, Laurie returned to Elmira to begin her life.

After starting her career, Laurie married Gerald Edger and had her two oldest children, Andrew and Ginelle. Shortly after her first marriage ended, Laurie met her husband, Mike Mead. Mike brought his daughter Jordan to the family, and shortly after that, they had Taylor, their youngest daughter, rounding out their mini-Brady bunch of six. Laurie was an amazing, supportive, and loving mother. She raised intelligent, fearless, and caring children who will carry on her legacy as they move and grow in their lives, albeit without their biggest fan and motivator.

Laurie worked for 28 years as an ER nurse, many in Upstate New York, but many as a traveling nurse living away from her family. Laurie always found a way to balance her career and family. She loved her job and spoke highly of the fantastic doctors, nurses, and other staff she had opportunities to work with. As a compassionate and dedicated nurse, Laurie earned her patients' and colleagues' respect and admiration, making lifelong friends wherever she went. A few of the hospitals where Laurie left her mark were:

Laurie lost her mom, Janet, to her own battle with cancer when Laurie was 33 years old, a formidable experience in any woman’s life and one that she spoke of often. Laurie was kind, compassionate, thoughtful, easy-going, adventurous, and hardworking. Laurie stood up for what she believed in and spoke out about injustice. Laurie always had the courage of her convictions. If someone challenged her ideals, Laurie didn’t rage against them; instead, she reiterated facts without malice or anger. Laurie could always keep her cool in the face of extreme chaos and adversity, the perfect person to be an ER nurse.

Laurie loved a good adventure. She was always game for, and often the instigator of, some amazing trip or outing. As her partner in crime in many of these adventures, I will miss her ‘go-anywhere’ spirit and her willingness to try new things.

This family didn’t deserve this. Laurie didn’t deserve this. None of this is fair. Laurie's passing is a massive loss for her family, of course, but the medical community has also lost an extraordinary person with a huge heart.

Mother, wife, sister, daughter, nurse, friend, co-worker… it doesn’t matter where you met Laurie or how long you knew her; if she touched your life, you could count yourself blessed.

Laurie was a ‘no fuss’ kind of person. To that end, Laurie will be cremated. Honoring Laurie’s wishes, there will not be calling hours or a funeral. Please consider giving a few dollars to Laurie’s immediate family. Other than what Go Fund Me takes out for their fees, every dime raised from this fund will go directly to pay for the costs of the family's travel expenses and lost income. Please also consider donating to the American Cancer Society in Laurie’s name. We all pray that someday there will be a cure for this dreadful disease.