Laura Cecilia Villa Quezada
This foundation is dedicated to our beloved Laura Cecilia Villa Quezada. Laura was one of the most amazing people we have ever known, but those that knew her know that already. Her charisma and charm as well as her sweet and loving personality, earned her the love and respect of everyone that came into her life. She was fun, loving, smart and beautiful, out going and a fighter. She had an amazing smile, beautiful eyes and the determination to conquer the world.
From the day she came into this world, a tiny baby with no hair and fair skin, she stole hearts and never stopped amazing all those around her. She was the baby of three siblings to whom her big sister Verónica immediately became a second mom, much to Laura’s dislike. Laura often reminded Verónica she already had a mother and she need not be nagging so much. Years later Laura would admit that she did not mind so much her big sister looking after her.
As a young child, Laura was the girliest tomboy we have ever known. She loved dressing up in the fanciest dresses and going out to play rough with the boys. She would come home tired, dirty, with her dress torn up and a big smile on her face. Every dog the family ever had was a stray she had rescued from the street. She had a gift of taking care of those who most needed help without thinking about it twice.
As a teen, she never stopped caring, but she became independent and goal driven. One of her first jobs was as a swim instructor and loved it; she never stopped working since, always looking for an opportunity to be close to people and work her magic with everyone around. She loved to dance and celebrate. Some of the happiest times were on the dance floor having a blast with friends. She took challenges head on, loved life and always pushed the limits, either for fun or to find out what she could get away with.
Laura dedicated her professional life to being an advocate for those that could not speak for themselves, especially for children. She fought for social justice making the world a little better one person at a time. She touched the lives of many, making a difference in all she did. She was passionate in her work and about the people that benefited from it. She had the gift to know what to say at the right time, not just to make someone feel better. She was able to put things into perspective and be present to anyone needing any kind of help, whether it was winter clothes or school supplies to underprivileged children, or a friendly counseling session to friends in need. Laura was her personal counselor, therapist, child psychologist and the one Verónica always went to when she had a dilemma. Anyone knew to count on her for anything without being judged or criticized. Verónica mentions that “She was the first one I thought of whenever I had something to share, she still is.”
Laura was a wonderful daughter, an amazing sister and wife; to her son Samuel, the best mom ever and an excellent friend as well. Samuel was the light of her life and she dedicated every breathing moment to him. She lives in him and in our hearts for she left a little of her in every one of us.
As Laura faced the reality of a Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) diagnosis, she gathered all her strength and began the fight with her head held high and never gave up. She fought and struggled for three and a half years against the family nightmare of being BRCA positive. Knowing the odds were always against her, she never lost hope and stayed focused on her goal: spending and cherishing every waking minute with her son, Samuel. She inspired with her story to never take no for an answer and be our own health advocates. For her family, she took it upon herself to educate about the hereditary BRCA gene mutation to prevent more cancer occurrences. She taught many of us great lessons along the way; left a legacy of strength, unconditional love and love of life.
For Laura, angels and the number 11 were very special. For the last 15 years of her life, she would see the number 11 appear in everything she did and everywhere she went. It was in her Race for the Cure shirt number (211), in the number of flowers in any given vase, the 11:11am/pm time at crucial moments in her life, her own birthday December 11th; and as the day drew close, we all realized she had picked the 11th day of June of 2011 to finally go home to our Lord. For about a year, she had hoped to start a business with the number 11 as its banner to promote and encourage health awareness to BRCA positive families. This dream too was unrealized, but we hope with this foundation, in some way to carry her banner and help fund organizations that give real life assistance to families currently facing their own cancer struggles.
Laura left this life way too soon, with dreams unrealized and projects to be finished. Someday we will be together again and share with each other and our loved ones Eternal life. We thank God for the honor and privilege of being part of her life, for allowing us to share the most wonderful 34-1/2 years with His angel. There aren’t enough words in this world to express how proud we all are of her for fighting with all her heart, mind and soul. She is in every memory and we miss her so much. She has left a big hole in our hearts.
On behalf of our entire family, Thank You for visiting ElevenAngels.org and for considering a donation to organizations that will assist and hopefully improve a family currently dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
May God bless you all always.
Contributions to this story by: Verónica Villa-Méndez and Family
From the day she came into this world, a tiny baby with no hair and fair skin, she stole hearts and never stopped amazing all those around her. She was the baby of three siblings to whom her big sister Verónica immediately became a second mom, much to Laura’s dislike. Laura often reminded Verónica she already had a mother and she need not be nagging so much. Years later Laura would admit that she did not mind so much her big sister looking after her.
As a young child, Laura was the girliest tomboy we have ever known. She loved dressing up in the fanciest dresses and going out to play rough with the boys. She would come home tired, dirty, with her dress torn up and a big smile on her face. Every dog the family ever had was a stray she had rescued from the street. She had a gift of taking care of those who most needed help without thinking about it twice.
As a teen, she never stopped caring, but she became independent and goal driven. One of her first jobs was as a swim instructor and loved it; she never stopped working since, always looking for an opportunity to be close to people and work her magic with everyone around. She loved to dance and celebrate. Some of the happiest times were on the dance floor having a blast with friends. She took challenges head on, loved life and always pushed the limits, either for fun or to find out what she could get away with.
Laura dedicated her professional life to being an advocate for those that could not speak for themselves, especially for children. She fought for social justice making the world a little better one person at a time. She touched the lives of many, making a difference in all she did. She was passionate in her work and about the people that benefited from it. She had the gift to know what to say at the right time, not just to make someone feel better. She was able to put things into perspective and be present to anyone needing any kind of help, whether it was winter clothes or school supplies to underprivileged children, or a friendly counseling session to friends in need. Laura was her personal counselor, therapist, child psychologist and the one Verónica always went to when she had a dilemma. Anyone knew to count on her for anything without being judged or criticized. Verónica mentions that “She was the first one I thought of whenever I had something to share, she still is.”
Laura was a wonderful daughter, an amazing sister and wife; to her son Samuel, the best mom ever and an excellent friend as well. Samuel was the light of her life and she dedicated every breathing moment to him. She lives in him and in our hearts for she left a little of her in every one of us.
As Laura faced the reality of a Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) diagnosis, she gathered all her strength and began the fight with her head held high and never gave up. She fought and struggled for three and a half years against the family nightmare of being BRCA positive. Knowing the odds were always against her, she never lost hope and stayed focused on her goal: spending and cherishing every waking minute with her son, Samuel. She inspired with her story to never take no for an answer and be our own health advocates. For her family, she took it upon herself to educate about the hereditary BRCA gene mutation to prevent more cancer occurrences. She taught many of us great lessons along the way; left a legacy of strength, unconditional love and love of life.
For Laura, angels and the number 11 were very special. For the last 15 years of her life, she would see the number 11 appear in everything she did and everywhere she went. It was in her Race for the Cure shirt number (211), in the number of flowers in any given vase, the 11:11am/pm time at crucial moments in her life, her own birthday December 11th; and as the day drew close, we all realized she had picked the 11th day of June of 2011 to finally go home to our Lord. For about a year, she had hoped to start a business with the number 11 as its banner to promote and encourage health awareness to BRCA positive families. This dream too was unrealized, but we hope with this foundation, in some way to carry her banner and help fund organizations that give real life assistance to families currently facing their own cancer struggles.
Laura left this life way too soon, with dreams unrealized and projects to be finished. Someday we will be together again and share with each other and our loved ones Eternal life. We thank God for the honor and privilege of being part of her life, for allowing us to share the most wonderful 34-1/2 years with His angel. There aren’t enough words in this world to express how proud we all are of her for fighting with all her heart, mind and soul. She is in every memory and we miss her so much. She has left a big hole in our hearts.
On behalf of our entire family, Thank You for visiting ElevenAngels.org and for considering a donation to organizations that will assist and hopefully improve a family currently dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
May God bless you all always.
Contributions to this story by: Verónica Villa-Méndez and Family
Resource Links:
Triple Negative Breast Cancer
http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/diagnosis/trip_neg/
http://www.tnbcfoundation.org/
BRCA & Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/BRCA
http://www.facingourrisk.org/