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In memory of
Mary Jean "Macy / MJ" Lark
March 29, 1959 - January 1, 2024
Mar 29, 1959 - Jan 1, 2024
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Please consider a contribution to American Head and Neck Society or Support for People With Oral and Head and Neck Cancer.
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Background
Mary Jean's cancer journey started in 2013 with an initial diagnosis of salivary gland cancer, a very rare cancer that affects only 6% - 8% of the population. Her first sign that something was wrong began with a sore jaw. Many doctors and dental professionals initially dismissed her complaints of pain, attributing her symptoms to nothing more than a bad tooth.
Finally, during a fateful routine visit with her trusted and beloved Neurologist, Dr. Andrea Deidrich, she suggested this was more than a bad tooth and ordered a CT scan immediately. We would soon discover this was salivary gland cancer and already at a late stage.
Her fight and journey that would follow afterwards was brutal and unimaginable. Endless rounds of chemo and radiation, about 8 surgeries total including the removal of her jaw bone and the insertion of a feeding tube. Her teeth began to fall out and she lost hearing in one ear. She lost the ability to eat. She spent many nights in the ICU and the ER. In 2021, we discovered that the cancer had spread to her liver as well as her breast. Still, she continued chemotherapy and fought with all of her might. Then, in 2023, she developed leukemia.
After a ten year brave and ruthless battle for her life, Mary Jean passed away on January 1st, 2024 at 64 years old. Honorably, she requested that her body be donated to science in the hopes that further research may be done and perhaps help others someday. She also asked that her loved ones donate in her honor to fund further research into this rare cancer. We appreciate your donations to this cause and we are glad to know that her life will be acknowledged in this way. She made the ultimate sacrifice and we are comforted by the thought of her life continuing to help others, long after she's gone. We thank you!
We have selected two wonderful organizations-
**PLEASE NOTE- This obituary platform charges a credit card processing fee and also asks for tips.. to avoid all of this please visit the respectable charity websites directly and donate there!
Here are the direct websites-
American Head & Neck Cancer Society
https://www.ahnsfoundation.info/donations/
Support for the People with Head & Neck Cancer
https://spohncstore.org/pages/donate Contribute to American Head and Neck Society
Contribute to Support for People With Oral and Head and Neck Cancer
Finally, during a fateful routine visit with her trusted and beloved Neurologist, Dr. Andrea Deidrich, she suggested this was more than a bad tooth and ordered a CT scan immediately. We would soon discover this was salivary gland cancer and already at a late stage.
Her fight and journey that would follow afterwards was brutal and unimaginable. Endless rounds of chemo and radiation, about 8 surgeries total including the removal of her jaw bone and the insertion of a feeding tube. Her teeth began to fall out and she lost hearing in one ear. She lost the ability to eat. She spent many nights in the ICU and the ER. In 2021, we discovered that the cancer had spread to her liver as well as her breast. Still, she continued chemotherapy and fought with all of her might. Then, in 2023, she developed leukemia.
After a ten year brave and ruthless battle for her life, Mary Jean passed away on January 1st, 2024 at 64 years old. Honorably, she requested that her body be donated to science in the hopes that further research may be done and perhaps help others someday. She also asked that her loved ones donate in her honor to fund further research into this rare cancer. We appreciate your donations to this cause and we are glad to know that her life will be acknowledged in this way. She made the ultimate sacrifice and we are comforted by the thought of her life continuing to help others, long after she's gone. We thank you!
We have selected two wonderful organizations-
**PLEASE NOTE- This obituary platform charges a credit card processing fee and also asks for tips.. to avoid all of this please visit the respectable charity websites directly and donate there!
Here are the direct websites-
American Head & Neck Cancer Society
https://www.ahnsfoundation.info/donations/
Support for the People with Head & Neck Cancer
https://spohncstore.org/pages/donate Contribute to American Head and Neck Society
Contribute to Support for People With Oral and Head and Neck Cancer
All contributions made to American Head and Neck Society through Ever Loved will be sent with the designation, “Wherever it is needed most”, at Arielle Rhyne and Hannah Culberson's request.
All contributions made to Support for People With Oral and Head and Neck Cancer through Ever Loved will be sent with the designation, “Wherever it is needed most”, at Arielle Rhyne and Hannah Culberson's request.
Recent contributions to American Head and Neck Society
Beckett Sunday School Class
$100.00
Gave to American Head and Neck Society
in memory of Mary Jean
Submitted by Virgil Quisenberry on
Jan. 28, 2024, 4:56 a.m. PST
Recent contributions to Support for People With Oral and Head and Neck Cancer
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Memories & condolences
Mary Jean was such a wonderful, kind human! She loved you girls. I wish I could be there to celebrate her, but I am wi…
Mary Jean was such a wonderful, kind human! She loved you girls. I wish I could be there to celebr…
Mary Jean was such a wonderful, kind human! She loved you girls…
I remember Macy as a spirited little girl growing up in Mount Holly, NC in the First Baptist Church. With ever present …
I remember Macy as a spirited little girl growing up in Mount Holly, NC in the First Baptist Church…
I remember Macy as a spirited little girl growing up in Mount Ho…
Well written obituary for Mary Jean the Coastal Queen as my mother dubbed her when visiting you, Betsy, and your mom wi…
Well written obituary for Mary Jean the Coastal Queen as my mother dubbed her when visiting you, Be…
Well written obituary for Mary Jean the Coastal Queen as my moth…
In lieu of flowers
Please consider a contribution to American Head and Neck Society or Support for People With Oral and Head and Neck Cancer.
Support American Head and Neck Society
Contribute
Support Support for People With Oral and Head and Neck Cancer
Contribute
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Created with love by
Arielle Rhyne (Mary Jean's daughter) and
Hannah Culberson.
