Since King Pine's last day, so much has happened. It's kept me busy, too busy I'm afraid to say to update this blog. For that I apologize.
My family and I took a little vacation and while we were gone, the Matriarch of the Hoyt family, owners of King Pine, Laura Hoyt Mahoney passed away after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Because of her legacy at this resort and her warm and welcoming ways, there was much to do to prepare for the myriads of guests that would want to join us for her service. And we wanted to do it perfectly for her. Something of definite note, the days after Laura died were absolutely beautiful- full sunshine and abnormally warm for April in New Hampshire. The entire resort staff banded together and on May 4th our friend Laura was remembered during a beautiful service held on the land she was born to work on. We heard from her sons, remembering their mother, honoring their mother, and loving her as hard as their hearts could handle. Their words will always be in my heart from this mother's day on... I hope, that when my time on earth is done, I've accomplished as much for my own son.
Laura always had a way though of not making things about her... she was such a humble person. When she was enduring the cancer treatments, driving 2 1/2 hours each way to receive them, I asked if there was anything she and her husband Jack needed. I explained that I understood that she had lots of friends and family but that I was always willing to help if there was anything I could do to make any of this easier on them. She looked me in the eyes and said, "Shannon, you are my family now." Then she went on with her work (yes, she still worked at the resort- until she absolutely couldn't) as if that statement came as naturally as anything else. I'll never forget that moment. Not that Laura and I were inseparable best friends- but that when I joined her in her life's work of making this beautiful place called Purity Spring Resort a successful business, I became her family. And she meant it, and I loved her for it.
So now our work continues, as does Laura's life work. We continue to beautify the resort readying it for the summer guests. Suzie Hoyt is working the gorgeous gardens here already tending to the needs of the plants that are blooming and those that soon will. Our chef's are attending regional cooking competitions, others attended the MWV Business to Business Expo, and we all continue to contribute to the greatness of this business.
Soon the lilacs will be out, they're her favorite I've learned and they're used as the logo for the new foundation created in her name- The Laura Mahoney Autism and Epilepsy Foundation.
You see, Laura's first grandchild Drew developed these two conditions as the years went by after his birth. Drew is non-verbal, and his "lovey-touch" is touching someones nose. I was lucky enough to witness this touch and the love between them many times. Laura's son Andrew summed it up elegantly, and simply, "she loved him just for who he is". In my early teens and until now, I've been blessed to have special people like Drew in my life too. People and children with special needs have always held a special place in my heart and I've come to be quite fond of Drew too... Who, believe it or not, has been doing amazingly well despite the loss of his Grammy. We all believe that Laura is with him, taking care of him and making his life easier in these days.
To make a donation please send it to:
The Laura Mahoney Autism and Epilepsy Foundation
1251 Eaton Road
East Madison, NH 03860
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