Laura 'Laurie' Ann Bermel, 36

ELKTON, Md. - Laura "Laurie" Ann Bermel, of Elkton, passed away peacefully at her residence, with her loving family by her side, following a courageous six-year battle with inflammatory breast cancer on Wednesday, March 26, 2008. She was 36.

Born in Wynnewood, Pa., on Dec. 3, 1971, she was the daughter of Paul Joseph and Theresa Ann (Callaghan) Small and the wife of Steven Bermel.

She received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Delaware, Newark.

For the past eight years, Laurie worked as a paralegal for Goldfein and Joseph, P.C., Attorneys at Law, Wilmington, Del.

Laurie enjoyed life and cherished moments of being with family and friends. Her open mind and creative style most often were demonstrated through the many scrap booking, crocheting and wood craft projects she created.

During the warm months, she looked forward to traveling to the beach and in the winter, skiing.

She especially enjoyed cruises to Alaska, Hawaii, the Mediterranean, Bermuda, Caribbean, and locally to the North Carolina beaches.

Although Laurie's life was short lived, she never allowed her battle with cancer to deter her accomplishment of goals; instead she made the most of each and every day.

Through Laurie's illness, she brought inspiration and hope to others.

As an advocate for and an educator of IBC research, she hosted "Laurie's Fall Ride" for the past six years, raising awareness and funds to benefit others facing the devastation of inflammatory breast cancer.

She will be remembered for her brave fight, her humor, her zest for life and more importantly, the beautiful smile and kind words she unselfishly shared with so many.

Now that Laurie's fight is over, may her enthusiasm and determination to find a cure for this devastating disease be carried on in her memory.

"Laurie's Fall Ride" ended March 26 on earth, but eternally will continue in heaven.

Laurie was a loving daughter, sister, wife, niece, aunt, cousin, friend and a devoted co-worker.

She leaves many cherished memories to her parents, Paul and Terry Small of West Chester, Pa.; her devoted husband and love of her life, Steven B. Bermel, whom she married on April 4, 1998; a brother, Scott Small and his wife Dana, and their children, Kellyn and Ryann, of Garnet Valley, Pa.; her mother-in-law, Barbara Bermel of Downingtown, Pa.; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bruce Bermel and Pamela Jurga of Middletown, Del.; a maternal grandmother, Catherine Callaghan of Drexel Hill, Pa.; a brother-in-law, Michael Bermel and his wife Frances, and their children, Bruce and Frank, of Randolph, N.J.; a sister-in-law, Denise Weber and her husband, Jack, and their son, Luke, of Downingtown; as well as many dear aunts, uncle, cousins, friends and colleagues.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. Monday in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 321 E. Main St., Middletown.

Family and friends may visit from 7-9 p.m. Sunday in Daniels & Hutchison Funeral Home, 212 N. Broad St., Middletown.

Interment will be in Old Drawyer's Cemetery, Odessa, Del.

Memorial contributions can be made in Laurie's memory to the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation, 321 High School Road NE 149, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110.