Lori Ann Hale

Lori Ann Hale

September 28, 1960 - May 10, 2007

Lori Ann Hale

September 28, 1960 - May 10, 2007

Obituary

Lori Ann Caruso Hale, born on September 28, 1960, died peacefully at her home on Thursday, May 10, 2007, surrounded by her family and loved ones. Lori had battled breast and thyroid cancer since 1998. Recently the cancer spread into Lori’s lungs and quickly into her brain. Lori wanted to make sure to express a special thanks to her caregiver buddies over the last several years; Dr. Dave Okun, Dr. Nora Evans, Phyllis Martin, and her City of Hope pals Dr. Steve Forman and Barb Stehr. All of them helped make her life better and longer.

Lori was born in New York and moved to California at a young age. Later in life she became a very successful cosmetologist in Hollywood and Los Angeles before pursuing a career helping hundreds of people with alcoholism, cocaine addiction, and severe mental health problems. One of her daily goals was to make someone else’s life better in whatever way possible and there are legions of people who will confirm she was successful. Lori was an active member of St. Kilian’s Catholic Parish in Mission Viejo and enjoyed her involvement with the Pastoral Council, her friends Father Jim and Scotty, and all her Bible study and weekly Rosary pals. Lori made two pilgrimages to Lourdes, France, with the Knights of Malta, one as a Malade and the next year as a volunteer.

Her family was her life and her life was her family. She enjoyed a wonderful relationship with her sister Jackie. Her other sister, Karen, was Lori’s constant nursing buddy during some of her toughest medical challenges, including the Hospice care she received at home. She had a special relationship with her father Ed and mom Ruth. Her nephews Shay, Ryan, and Josh made her giggle constantly. Her lifetime friend Patti had a special place in her heart and soul that is beyond description. Her pals Anna, Karen McCartney, Linda Muhonen, La La Gretchen, and Kristen The Tornado always made her feel special and loved the way friends are supposed to in good times and bad. Lori also had parent and teacher friends and supporters too numerous to name individually at Serra Catholic School and Santa Margarita Catholic High School.

Lori and Bill were married in June 1990 and had two beautiful daughters, Erynn, 15, and Katy, 11. Her Girls, as she often referred to them, became Lori’s passion, joy and meaning in life. She taught them fashion, grooming, homework shortcuts, cooking, laughing, the importance of friendships, and the value of faith and a strong belief in God. Lori loved Erynn and Katy at a level and depth that only mothers understand. Their smiles and laughter often made Lori’s entire day happy and worthwhile in spite of her constant battles with cancer. Her 17-year marriage to Bill was filled with fun and the joy of raising two strong-willed children and overcoming hundreds of different challenges while sharing the intimacy and friendship you hope to experience once during a lifetime.

Lori will be missed in so many ways by so many people, but mostly by her daughters Erynn and Katy. They are fortunate she has left them with her spirit and strength and we know she will be whispering in their ears daily, helping guide them through a beautiful life. Lori Hale, the Mother, Daughter, Sister, Friend, and Wife, is difficult to describe. If we took a beautiful sunset in a vibrantly colored garden, added a beautiful piece of art, music, and the poem of a lifetime, and then threw in the spirit and graciousness of an Angel, we might be close to describing the person we will all miss who has just joined God’s inner circle. P.S. Good-bye Cookie, I have loved you from the first day I saw you.

Open casket visitation with family and friends will be from 7:00 to 8:30 pm and a prayer vigil at 8:30 pm the evening of Thursday, May 17, followed by a funeral Mass at 10:30 am on Friday, May 18. Both will take place at St. Kilian’s Catholic Church in Mission Viejo. Burial will follow at Ascension Cemetery in Lake Forest. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Lori’s memory to Susan G. Komen for the Cure 3191 A Airport Loop Drive, Costa Mesa CA. 92629.

No Events & Services

No Charities & Donations

No Gallery Photos

No Videos

120 responses to Lori Ann Hale

1 22 23 24
  1. bill hale says:

    Hi Lori Ann, I was having a few normal reflective tender thoughts about you and like so often happens, the reality of your death and the loss the girls and I have experienced simply grabbed my heart and took me to places I haven’t been in almost a year. Certain dates are branded into my soul and this is one of them,it’s the day we brought you home from the hospital and we knew it was simply a matter of time once you got home that you would die and leave for heaven. I recall every single minute of those last 11 days and every tear, hug, kiss and word we shared and the joys we reflected on about the 20 years we had shared together and the sadness you had about leaving our beautiful daughters. I cannot ever forget those last several hours we privately shared in the very early morning the day before the medications took over. I’m not sure 2 people have ever wept that much at one time or shared so much deep emotion and rawness. And as I look back on that we were both so lucky to have that special time to make plans for the girls and what you wanted done and what your hopes were for the 3 of us. Your daughters are beautiful and wonderful and I know they make you as proud as I am each day. We miss you terribly Wife, Friend, Mom and we talk to you often and laugh with you every single day about so many things. I miss you and love you Cookie and still hear your whispers and follow your wishes as best I can. I will check in around Mom’s day and make sure I bring you the Fiji water and M&M peanuts. Your daughters carry your spirit and memories very proudly and still love their Mom the same way they did when you cradled them in your loving arms….I’m better now Thanks for listening.

  2. Miss you especially today, Chickie! Remembering our days of scrapbook shows full of fun and paper creations! I brought you your paper Rosary in springtime colors for you to enjoy! You’re in my thoughts and heart always. Love you!

  3. bill hale says:

    GOOD MORNING COOKIE…Yes, 5 years and life goes on in so many wonderful fulfilling ways yet we all feel the void of you being gone. Several times a week I openly laugh about your constant comment to me when I would be holding your hands those last few days here at home when you’d say, :”do you have any idea what you’re in for”. I certainly didn’t and I’m sure you are entertained daily seeing all the challenges I have faced and face by myself raising our 2 beaitiful daughters. Lori, they are SOOOOO special in so many ways you would be proud of. They embody so much and more of what we had hoped and prayed for. We were blessed with both of them and even though your time with them was shortened they possess so much of your spirit and beauty and personality and become more and more independent each day. They are very special young ladies. Lots of people still mention you and often tell various stories and make funny touching references to their special relationship with you. The pain of you being gone is often offset with the joys, memories and laughter you have left with all of us. I miss many things about you but hold close to my heart and soul the beaiuty and cherished years we shared together. I hope you enjoy the morning stories and all the associated personalities and special people. My life is never dull to say the least. You have left a beautiful meaning legacy and 2 wonderful footprints about your life well lived. I will respect your wishes and hopes for as long as I draw a breath. I love you Lori and I am so glad you are at peace and free of all the pain.

  4. Hey Chickie”!…..5 years! I cannot believe it. I am comforted often with the memories of our silliness and our oh so fun days with our girls, just a short time ago. I know how proud you must be when you glance down and see how your family has carried themselves through these last 5 years. I can feel you beaming from here! I miss you and think of you so often. I visited your calm resting spot and brought you your favorite paper Rosary. With a snug hug and a hearty laugh, I send you my love…..especially today. xoxo…Debbie~Do

  5. BILL HALE says:

    HI COOKIE…..It was 6 years ago on May10th you died and went to heaven and 6 years today we buried you. So many of things about our lives remain fresh and vibrant and so many have become like aging comforting old friends to reflect on and cherish forever. Our girls are simply remarkable and I know how proud you are of both of them. They carry your presence deep in their hearts and souls and always will. They miss their Mom a lot on those very special occasions that daughters should share with Mom’s and it makes me sad to see it so I do the best I can to fill some of the voids and in one respect they tolerate my efforts and in the other appreciate my genuine fumbling gestures. Like always, Mother’s day was hard but we kept it light and got through it. Today is Prom dress shopping day and that’s always fun. We miss you and love you Lori. Often my days are tough but I find a way to keep going and always come back to the gratitude I have for you being at peace and free of the horrible pain &suffering that last year you were with us…..WE LOVE YOU LORI.

1 22 23 24

Leave A Condolence

Choose a Candle