In Memory of Laronda Chang - a life spent giving

Family and friends, new and old

 

My sister passed away on the 1 November and left a big gaping hole in my life. As I journeyed through the days that followed, I realised that her passing had left a void in the lives of everyone she touched.

 

I knew Laronda was special and over the last two years as I watched her live with a cancer diagnosis in the middle of the tornado, that was/is covid, I watched in awe as her spirit grew and grew. She was not one to mope or soak up sympathy but instead she doubled down on helping people as best she could.

 

The cancer treatments weakened her body but not her spirit. Only my sister could make trips to chemo, radiation treatment and hospital stays pleasant. The nurses regularly came running to greet and “hug” her (socially distanced of course) whenever she went in to check-in with her oncologist and they would always share a bittersweet farewell with her – part of them wanting to see more of her but really wishing not to see her in that place again.

 

Friends and family that called to cheer her up always came off the phone wondering how she was only interested in their lives and helping them through the challenges they were facing. When asked about herself, she would reply “I’m not going anywhere” or “The cancer is the easy part”.

 

Not once did she moan and complain about her lot in life. Not when she had to wind up her catering business because she was no longer able to work and, of course, covid meant no weddings or events to cater. Not when her insurance company claimed it did not provide cover in the final year of its term. Not when treatment was delayed due to covid. Not when she was accidentally admitted to a covid ward and subsequently developed covid. Not when she was told the cancer had come back and spread. Not when the doctor said that there was not much else they could do. Not when the pain became too much. In every one of those moments, she still took the time to look you in the eye and ask about what was going on in your life and help you navigate your challenges.

 

The cancer was a very small part of my sister’s life and the disease never defined her and did not change her one iota – it just emphasised the compassionate, strong and resilient person she was. She was also tenacious, warm and incorrigible with an incredible dry sense of humour. She had the biggest heart and the sharpest tongue. She would be the first person to reach into her purse to give money to the person needing a room for the night and was that person who you can rely on to call you out on your nonsense.

 

Her school friends will remember her as a talented athlete. Quick was not the word – without much effort she could run the 100m at under 13 seconds. She was a gifted storyteller and wrote amazing plays and school productions for the Lambs Christian School. She was a wise teacher who helped her students be the best versions of themselves. She was an incredible baker and eventually it was this gift that she would share with the world, making celebration cakes and helping others turn their dreams into a reality.

 

However, her greatest achievement were her two sons. She leaves behind two strong boys who, while at 15 and 19 years of age, are still at the beginning of their journeys. She prepared them as best she could and now hands those reigns to all that know and love them to help them be the best they can be in the world.

 

As I said, my sister was strong but she could not have got through this period without her faith and the tremendous support from two great organisations: MacMillian Cancer Support and the John Taylor Hospice. Both provided practical guidance, emotional support and actual shoulders to cry on, to Laronda, and the entire family - every step of the way.

 

Even before her diagnosis, Laronda was active in supporting numerous cancer charities. However, she really wanted to do something for these two organisations when she was better. Sadly she did not get this chance and so, instead I am setting up this GoFund me page to collect donations for these two great organisations and also set a portion aside to support the futures of her two boys.

 

As much as Laronda liked flowers, she loved helping people more. And it would be a wonderful legacy to her memory to be able to help others living with cancer and help protect the future of her children. If you are thinking of sending flowers, consider donating instead. Laronda’s life was spent giving to her family, her friends, her community, her church. Please help her to continue to do this and keep her memory and generous natured spirit going – after all as she was so keen to tell us, she is not going anywhere.