Laura Norton-Dye

Laura D. Norton-Dye, 41, of Cape Girardeau lost her courageous 15-year fight with carcinoid cancer at her home Wednesday, May 6, 2009.

Laura was born May 30, 1967, in Murray, Ky., daughter of Wayne A. Norton and Betsy Gateley Dinkins, and moved with her family to Cape Girardeau at age 1. She married Curtis Ray "Curt" Dye of Cape Girardeau on April 6, 1996.

Educated in the Cape Girardeau school system, Laura received a bachelor of science in education and a master of arts from Southeast Missouri State University. While attending SEMO, Laura was an exchange student in Wales twice where she became friends with the late Professor Eiron Morgan and his wife, Mairwen. During the summer of 2008, Laura returned to Swansea, Wales, to visit with Mrs. Morgan.

Laura was a special education teacher at Perry County Middle School 10 years until illness forced her retirement. No longer able to fulfill her passion for teaching, Laura began writing about her life experiences. "Footprints on My Heart" was published in "A 3rd Serving of Chicken Soup for the Soul."

This story was later broadcast as a segment of a nationally syndicated television series. Her story about the difference a pet had made in her life was published in Coping, a magazine for cancer patients.

During the 2007-2008 school year Laura volunteered with Project Charlie, speaking to fourth-grade students in the Jackson schools about self-esteem, behavior and decision-making skills, and especially emphasizing "Don't do drugs."

A lifelong advocate for animal rights and a lifetime member of the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri, Laura was incensed when she heard the Michael Vick animal abuse story. Ultimately she made the winning bid on eBay for 11 Vick trading cards that had been chewed up by the dog of a former Vick fan. The proceeds were donated to the Humane Society and Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary in memory of her husband, who died in 2005 at 39.

Laura leaves her parents, Dr. Wayne and Jonzell M. Norton of Maumelle, Ark., and Dr. Jim and Betsy G. Dinkins of Cape Girardeau; a sister and brother-in-law, Lilabeth N. and G. David Frye of Champaign, Ill.; three nephews, Timothy, Lucas and Dustin Frye, also of Champaign; an uncle and aunt, Marcus and Judy Norton of Louisville; Ky.; and her faithful pets, Sherlock, Watson and PJ.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

A celebration of the life of Laura Norton-Dye will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Cape County Memorial Park. The Rev. Rob Mehner and the Rev. John Harth will officiate.

Pallbearers will be Lisa Foster, Timothy Frye, Lucas Frye, Dustiri Frye, Connie Griswald, Maria Pangelinan, Keith Pruett, Larry Tidd and David Tippen.

Laura was a member of La Croix United Methodist Church. Family and friends will gather there to remember her life and love at the conclusion of the service.

Special thanks to the staff of Southeast Missouri Hospital Oncology Department, to caregivers and friend -- Connie Griswald, Diane Tidd, Lisa Foster, Carol Coomer and Janie Evans -- for their love and devotion to Laura; and to the staff of Southeast Hospice for the love and support offered to Laura and her family.

Laura requested that memorials be made to the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri or Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary of Cape Girardeau. Memorial envelopes will be made available at the funeral home.