I am PaulPeter Makokha from Kakamega, Kenya, a native African. I am deeply saddened and overwhelmed by grief to know about the demise of Auntie Laurie Lynn Gundersen Sutherland. It breaks my heart. I met her on Facebook through a mutual friend around the year 2010/2011 and since then we became family. I came to know her at a time I had just lost my father to colon cancer in September 2010, a few months after enrolling for a postgraduate programme at the University of Nairobi, and she was a great source of comfort. She kindly asked to adopt me as her nephew, and told me to be calling her "Auntie Laurie". She had a big heart, and never saw my skin colour. The love of God knit us together. We were family despite being separated by thousands of miles. She was a devoted member of the Mormon faith, and whenever we talked on phone or exchanged emails, she consistently mentioned her faith, and shared with me material. She was such a witty woman with the kindest of heart. A wonderful teacher. And she was always impressed with my written English. She sent me a book by Abraham Lincoln, alongside her handwritten note. I'll keep them safely forever. But ever since her health began failing, I hardly read back from her, till when the mutual friend informed me that she was under hospice care. That really distressed. We lost touch since then. I'll be glad to read back from her family and friends. 

PaulPeter M Makokha

P. O Box 51175-00100 GPO 

Nairobi, Kenya

Email: paulpetermakokha@gmail.com

Website: www.paulpetermakokha.com