Lora M. Green

Offsetting the intense sorrow of her loss on January 11, 2010, as colleagues, friends and family we have had the joy of working, relaxing and living with Lora--husband of 35 years, Timothy Green and son Keigm Green; daughter of Marlene and Everett (deceased) Murray. In her Redlands, CA home, Lora was diverse in her interests in people, ideas and actions -- a researcher, artist, mentor, comedian, teacher, gambler, and "five-star scientist." But above the science, her humble way, enthusiasm, humor and goodness depicts Lora's unique and beautiful being. Lora's family is so proud of her and all of her accomplishments. Recently Lora received two wonderful letters from her mentors. On August 10, 2009 Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH, President of Loma Linda University wrote the following: "Dear Dr. Green: Upon the recommendation of Dr. Anthony J Zuccarelli, Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and Dr. H. Roger Hadley, Dean of the School of Medicine, the President's Committee at its meeting on May 6, 2009, voted to continue your appointment as a member of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, effective July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2012. Your dual appointments remain as Research Professor, Department of Radiation Medicine and Research Professor, Department of Basic Sciences, in the School of Medicine, with full-time status (FT/U) It is my with for you, Dr. Green, that God will bless you and your endeavors." On September 11, 2009 the following was written by James M Slater, MD, FACR, Vice Chairman and Professor, Department of Radiation Medicine, Director, LLURM Radiation Research Laboratories: "Dr. Lora, Thank you for your very excellent scientific work and presentation at the 12th Annual LLU Research Symposium yesterday. Your work was, of course, outstanding and your presentation made difficult, complex subjects easy to understand. Your teaching talents are superb and well respected and received by everyone in our department including the residents. Thank you being a member of our department." A friend and colleague, Mihaela Taylor MD, had these kind words once she learned of Lora's death: "I had the good fortune of meeting Lora during my training in Rheumatology at LLUMC. She was my teacher in her position of outstanding scientist and soon she became a dear friend. Her enthusiasm was contagious and I soon found myself sharing her passion for the groundbreaking research that she was conducting in the field of autoimmunity and lupus. Observing Lora in her work I came to understand what ingredients make up a five-star scientist: brilliant mind, passion, hard work, and dedication. Lora became my mentor and an outstanding role model for my career in medicine and in rheumatology. She generously shared her knowledge with me and her numerous students and colleagues with her special gift of making look "simple" the complex basic science principles and formulas. But above all the science, her humble way, her kindness, her humor and her goodness is what I admire and love her for. Lora has inspired me through her inner strength and beauty, being able to overcome with grace a destiny of illness and pain as she had to fight severe lupus and arthritis since childhood. She has overcome hardship keeping untouched serenity and faith as no other person I know. Her husband and her son were the core of her happiness. Stepping into her home I was always filled with the peace and harmony of her happy family and with the calm of the decor created by her artistic nature and beauty. I will always miss and always carry with me the memory of her lively, caring blue eyes, her soft voice, her wisdom, her modesty and her goodness! May God rest her in His peace!" Lora s brother-in-law Dennis Green shared the following: Lora, our love, you left so suddenly. Losing you has cut deeply, left a hollow where our hearts and minds held your love and compassion and brilliance. It s so heavy the weight of it now that you re gone. You flew so high. Our necks were willing to crane upward all these years. Your vision and unrelenting purpose took you to far off unknowns to expose and relay the secrets of this world for the benefit of the rest of us, to ease our pain, help us grown, explore the cosmos, make clear our own heights to reach. And you did so on a havocked wing, a battle in the body that would have grounded us mortals. For you somehow it was extra lift, the stronger its will to disable the more tenacious yours to adjust and push on higher. That is inspiration. We know you liked, maybe needed, the sun. Attention from winning, as the teacher, the giver of knowledge. But few could bring so many others with them as you have, into their own light of worth and success. Thank you for this and much more Lora. Your love could not help but help. The great depth of what you gave and meant to us is now our great loss. To view Dr. Lora M. Green s Curriculum Vitae please go to: www.murcat.com/lora_m_green