Marcia Hansbury was a new student, joining our home room either our junior or senior year. Because she suffered from cystic fibrosis she did not attend classes often and was mostly home schooled. When we learned about her dire medical condition, that she knew few people in Charlotte, and suffered from a disease that would eventually take her life, we got to know her through visits to her home, bringing gifts of fruit and flower baskets, etc. I believe after we graduated, classes behind us held a fund raiser or some similar awareness-raising event to give Marcia emotional support. Around Thanksgiving of our freshman year of college I received a phone call that she had died. She was a very brave, cheerful and positive person in spite of the many challenges she endured. I felt blessed and enriched by her friendship and have never forgotten her.

Debbie Iley Hodde