Obituary of Randi L. Evans

Warrensburg: Randi L. Evans, 28, passed away on July 25, 2010 at her home, surrounded by her loving family, after a very brave life long struggle with mitochondrial disease. One word described Randi, UNIQUE! She was a perfect angel who will be remembered for encouraging all of us to live a simpler life, with a child’s perspective. Randi had a talent for writing and illustrating children stories. She loved being able to create photo albums on both the computer, and in scrapbooks, which she shared with family members. Randi was also a huge Justin Timberlake fan, and attended many of his concerts. One of her favorite pastimes was playing word games. Randi was born on May 27, 1982, with mitochondrial disease. She, along with her family have been described as pioneers in their efforts to educate others on the disease. In 1997 Randi and her family helped enact passage of a law in New York State which provides coverage of enteral formulas for metabolic disorders. Unfortunately, Randi had to fight to obtain appropriate medical care up until the end due to lack of knowledge of her disease. She has been the driving force behind current efforts to form a local mitochondrial committee. Recently Randi, and her sister, Brooke worked together on a YouTube video to help raise awareness of the unique issues that patients and their families face daily. Randi was predeceased by her uncle, Michael LaFond; and her great-grandparents, Grace and Donald Stone, and Claire and Louis LaFond. Randi is survived by her mother, Catherine LaFond-Evans; sister and best friend, Brooke Evans; brother, Drew Evans and her beloved companion puppy, “her baby”, Blackberry. In addition she leaves behind her maternal grandparents, Sandra and Roland LaFond, of Warrensburg; her aunt Rachelle and uncle Roland LaFond Jr.; and their children, Randi’s cousins, Madison and Nathan LaFond, of Lake George; her aunt Renee LaFond of Balston Spa; her father, Charles Evans; and paternal grandparents; Joan and Richard Ouellette, of Warrensburg; and several additional aunts, uncles, and cousins. She will be missed by her special friends and advocates, Anne Rohe and Anne Marie Lockhart, who were by her side every step of the way. Randi’s family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the few special doctors, who were there for them throughout the years, Dr. Kathleen Braico; her pediatrician, Dr. Darius Adams of Albany; and the team of specialists in Boston. Friends may call on Randi’s family from 11 am to 12 noon, Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at the Alexander-Baker Funeral Home, 3809 Main St., Warrensburg. A funeral service to celebrate Randi’s beautiful life will be conducted at noon, following the visitation at the funeral home. Burial will follow in St. Cecilia’s Cemetery in Warrensburg. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to help defray funeral expenses on behalf of Randi to her grandparents, Roland and Sandra LaFond of Warrensburg. Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guestbook, condolences and directions.