OBITUARY FROM THE LIFE LEGACY WEBSITE, FEBRUARY 20, 2011
Lori Mae (Meinert) Gest peacefully entered into the presence of our Lord on February 18, 2011, at the age of 52, while surrounded by her loving family at home in Virginia Beach, VA, after a 9 year battle with breast cancer.
Lori was born November 15, 1958 in Freeport, IL to Laverne D. Meinert and Florence I. (Adams) Meinert. An outdoor girl with a radiant smile, she and her three older brothers, Dennis, Jeffery, and James grew up in the football loving town of Hobart, IN where her parents instilled a strong work ethic and deep sense of commitment to community.
After graduating from Hobart High School, Lori earned her license as a registered nurse from Indiana University, Bloomington, IN. This is also where she began her lifelong ministry of touching the hearts of people with her smile.
In 1985, Lori moved to Honolulu, HI to work in the Intensive Care Unit at Kuakini Hospital. While in Hawaii, she met her future husband, Navy submariner and salvage diver, Kevin J. Gest. After marrying in September 1987, Lori and Kevin were transferred to San Diego, CA where they began their family with the birth of Anna in 1990. Lori’s family continued to grow with the birth of Patrick in 1992, and then Samuel in 1994 after their move to Virginia Beach.
Taking a break from nursing, Lori’s commitment to her family and community flourished with volunteer work as Navy Ombudsman, PTA president, Brigadoon Neighborhood Babysitting Co-op president, classroom volunteer, Mother-Daughter Book Club member, children’s Sunday school teacher, and Hurricane Katrina relief volunteer. Lori returned to nursing at The Center for Pain Management, even as she continued to support her children’s involvement in Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, sports, drama, etc.
Prior to her passing, Lori was blessed by seeing her children grow into vibrant young adults, touched by God and the promise of ministering to their community.
Lori is survived by her husband, Kevin; children, Anna, Patrick, and Samuel; parents, Laverne and Florence Meinert; brothers, Jeff (wife Cathy) and Jim (wife Karen); and sister in law, Sandi (Meinert) Granger (husband Pierre Granger). Lori was predeceased by her brother, Dennis.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 23rd from 5 to 9 p.m., and Thursday, February 24th from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at New Covenant Presbyterian Church (NCPC), 1552 Kempsville Road, Virginia Beach. A memorial service will also be held on Thursday at 4 p.m. at New Covenant Presbyterian Church, with a reception to immediately follow @ Community United Methodist Church, 1072 Old Kempsville Road, Virginia Beach. A graveside service will take place on Friday, February 25th at a time to be determined at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans' Cemetery, 5310 Milners Road, Suffolk. Funeral services are being provided by Family Choice Funerals & Cremations of Virginia Beach. Call 757-366-9260 for more information.
So many people have commented on the effect Lori’s smile has had on their lives. Something her family would like you to know is that all of you, her family, friends, co-workers, and her caretakers over the last 9 years, have given her the strength to keep on smiling from her heart, which also gave us the ability to smile along with her. Thank you all so much.
If we could encourage you to make a donation in Lori’s name toward a charitable organization, then we ask that you prayerfully ask our heavenly father how He would have you share the blessings He has provided your family, so that you may be a beacon that guides our hurting world to an eternal home where our loving Father ‘shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.’ (Rev 21:4) Then the rescued, ‘will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.’ (Isaiah 51:11)
Please take the opportunity to share a life story or condolence via the online guestbook.
May the love, joy, & peace of Jesus Christ bless you all,
The Gest Family
This obituary was obtained from: http://www.memorialsolutions.com/sitemaker/sites/Family3/obit.cgi?user=319600Gest