Lori Beth Demaree, 46, of Austin, (twin sister of Julie Demaree Dill, of Blanco), passed away after a 5 year struggle with cancer, on Wednesday, January 28, 2009. She was born on April 24, 1962 in Spokane, Washington to Harold and Beverly Demaree. Lori grew up in Nebraska and graduated from Lincoln Southeast High School and New Mexico State University. She was a competitive swimmer at both schools. She pursued a career as a C.P.A. in Albuquerque, Los Angeles, and Austin and was an avid fan of University of Nebraska football. Lori’s most recent job was with Keller Williams, which she dearly loved. Lori was an active member of Team Survivor (an organization for cancer survivors) and was a friend of almost everyone she met. She will be long remembered and greatly missed because of her loving, inclusive nature, tenacity, and amazing courage.

She is survived by her son, Jacob Olszewski; parents, Beverly and Harold Demaree; brother, Michael Demaree; sister, Julie Demaree Dill and husband, Stanley; nephew, Justin Dill and wife, Juliet; nieces, Karis Ward and her son, Cash; Micaiah Ward, and Anna Dill; numerous other relatives; and a host of friends.

The family will receive friends from 2:00pm to 3:00pm, Thursday, February 5, 2009 at Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church, 5226 W. William Cannon Drive, Austin, with a Celebration of Life Service beginning at 3:00pm with The Reverend Larry Coulter and Dr. Ralph Sturdy officiating. A reception will be held after the service at the Church. An “everlasting memorial” website, with many photos of Lori, has been set up at www.mem.com.

In lieu of flowers, Julie would like contributions made in Lori’s memory to one of the following:

1. Keep Blanco Beautiful, PO Box 694, Blanco, TX 78606. Put “Lori Demaree” on the memo line. The monies will be used to purchase commemorative items that will beautify Blanco’s town square (e.g. a bench, tree, lamplight, Christmas display, pavers, etc.) on Julie’s behalf and in Lori’s memory.

2. Young Life, PO Box 520, Colorado Springs, CO 80901-0520. Put “Blanco” on the memo line. While growing up in Lincoln, NE, Lori and her family were very involved with Young Life. She loved the music, the skits, the ski trips, and the down-to-earth conversations about God.

3. Health Care for all Texas, A Project of Greenlights for NonProfit Success, P.O. Box 421704, Houston, Texas, 77242, www.HealthCareforAllTexas.org. Lori said that if she survived cancer, she would become an advocate for those without health insurance or with insurance that won’t pay for certain treatments (of which she was one). This organization addresses those issues.

Julie would also like to thank the Blanco community for their tremendous outpouring of love and support during this time of grief.