Document text
http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News AP Entertainment Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend December 15, 2006 Hope Warren A Town Filled With Hope Rogue River rallies around its 'rare gem,' stricken with cancer By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune Hope Warren has a large fan club — and its members wear team jerseys. Warren, the city of Rogue River's financial officer and a longtime community volunteer, is battling lung cancer, while family, friends and co-workers rally to support her. They sport red and white "Team Hope" T-shirts to meetings at City Hall, celebrations at local restaurants and anywhere else they can to show their love and support. "We want her to know we're all thinking of her," municipal clerk and friend Carol Weir said. "And that she's not going through this alone." A local Mexican restaurant recently was filled to capacity with community members wearing their "Team Hope" shirts to her surprise birthday party, planned by Weir. Warren's eyes misted with tears as she stood just inside the restaurant doorway, receiving hug after gentle hug. "You guys got me," she said, smiling and shaking her head. "You really got me." Advertisement Hired by the city of Rogue River as an office assistant more than 20 years ago, Warren, now 58, later became city planner and then financial officer. But her official duties take a back seat to the decades of local volunteer activities she's participated in and often led. Building a new community center, painting homes for the needy, creating programs for at-risk teens, starting the girls' softball team at Rogue River High School, even putting on beauty pageants — "if there was a good and worthy cause, there was Hope," said City Administrator Mark Reagles. "She tells it like it is," said Reagles. "And she'll fight for what she believes in. Most people get on a board and flirt around with an idea. Not Hope. She has the ability to take people with her on her path and get things done. But everything she does, she does with compassion and dedication." Craig Warren, Hope's husband of 37 years, met his "rare gem" in high school. They married soon after he returned from service in Viet Nam. "She's been my compass," Craig Warren said. He remains amazed at his wife's capacity for caring — for himself, their three daughters and grandchildren, and for her community. "She really is the most unselfish person there is," said Craig Warren. "And how simple a thing is that to say? And how complicated that is to practice? But not for Hope. She's there for everybody." Warren's list of deeds includes at least one that most people don't know about, said friend and former planning commissioner Lori Armstrong. Warren has quietly put together a list of local residents she thought might need a little help in the holiday cheer department. For the past 15 years, she's visited shut-in seniors, those who had recently lost relatives and anyone else she figured might benefit from a cheery smile and a bright red rose on Christmas Eve. "She didn't talk about it," said Armstrong. "She just did it." And so, on this Christmas Eve, Warren's visits will be carried on in her honor by "Team Hope" members. "I know this is important to her heart," said Armstrong. "And I was afraid she would be worried about not being able to do it this year." Warren's list of causes is lengthy. However her patience for talking about herself is short. Diagnosed with lung cancer in June, she has stoically endured months of radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Not much has helped. But Warren isn't one to get mired in maudlin sentiment. Former Community Center Director Sheila O'Gara visited her friend early last week. Warren told O'Gara she was "just so sick of talking about the cancer." She wanted to talk about the community, O'Gara said. Warren's reaction to being told about a problem with pigeon droppings under the freeway overpass was typical. ''She said, 'I need to get back to work!' " said O'Gara, laughing through tears. "That's just Hope. She's always so anxious to help people." On Wednesday, Hope Warren's doctors said they've run out of treatment options. As the word spread, tears flowed at City Hall, the fire station and the Warren household. But "Team Hope" isn't quitting. "Hope is a fighter," says Reagles. "We're all praying for a miracle now." Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Men's Clothing Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Discount Hotel Reservations Send Flowers Casinos Canada Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com