I lost my Triple Negative "Breast Friend"

Carla Hearst

Carla Kay Litaker Hearst, 47, joined the church eternal on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, at Gordon Hospice House in Statesville, following a valiant 16 month struggle with breast cancer. She was born Oct. 23, 1962, the daughter of Betty Jo H. Litaker and the late Carl Adams Litaker. On April 29, 1989, she was married to Leo Vincent Hearst III, who survives her. Mrs. Hearst was a graduate of Statesville High School and of Salem College, Winston-Salem. While at Salem, she was a cross country runner and was a piano accompanist for the Salem Academy Choir. A lifelong member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Statesville, Carla was faithful and devoted to her church. While growing up she participated in the youth group and as an adult she was a faithful member of many of the church's committees, the church council, the call committee for the present pastor, and a member and soloist of the choir. Almost from birth Carla loved music, either listening to or playing it. One of her favorite things was singing with the Mitchell Community College Choir. Carla was employed with Orchard Software Co., Indianapolis, Ind., and worked from her home. An inseparable couple, Carla and Leo enjoyed many activities together, including golfing, bowling, riding their Harley Davidson motorcycle, singing in the church choir, traveling, and entertaining their friends. A favorite activity of theirs was watching TV with their beloved black cats, Jack and Judy. Carla developed close ties with classmates from Salem College and following her cancer diagnosis, this group became known as the Princess Warriors. Later, others were added to this elite group who have been a source of comfort and support. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday at St. John's Lutheran Church with the Rev. John Jones III officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3-6 p.m. this evening at Nicholson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to any organization supporting the cure of cancer; the Iredell County Humane Society; Gordon Hospice House; St. John's Lutheran Church; or to the charity of the donor's choice. Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Carla Litaker Hearst. The family would like to express sincerest appreciation to Dr. Susan Melin and Alicia DeTroye PA, Jorge and Vicki Garcia, and all other medical personnel at Wake Forest University Baptist Hospital, for the meticulous and devoted care given to Carla during her treatment and stay there.

Carla was diagnosed in June of 2008 with TNBC, stage IIa. I met Carla in March of 2009 after she had completed treatment and was considered NED. In May of 2009 she found a swollen lymph node near her collar bone and the CT scans showed stage IV mets.

In 2009 Carla participated in both the Komen Race for the Cure and the AVON event in Oct. 2009 while undergoing chemo.

Our team "The Divine Tata Princess Warriors" have vowed to walk in the Komen Race on May 1st and the AVON walk in Oct. 2010. She will be our ANGEL and walk with us to help us raise funds to find a cure!

Holli Gough

Edited by HolliBeri - Today at 1:45pm