Lori Shampo had surgery for brain cancer about 4 months ago and is currently under hospice care. She wasn't expected to last thru last week-end but still fighting as tough as she played pool but unfortunately it's just a matter of time.
For those not familar with Lori, she was the toughest most feared female player/gambler in the 70s and 80s. You can find her name in the WPBA players guide under former tournament winners. She was also a former Player of the Year (83?).
Lori dropped out from the pool scene after battling a substance abuse problem that started in her teens and was living in Holland,Mi since the early 90s where she gave birth to a son (Christopher, 10ys/old). She had help from friends in a church group there where she got and stayed clean from her addictions.
When I opened my room up Lori called (we were friends since we were teens) and I told her if she wanted to start playing again and give it a shot a few of us would help. After talking with her over a period of time, she wanted to try so bad but was scared to be in the enviorment where her problems were the worst. I told her all I could do is try to help and if she was ever ready we'd be there.
I guess not long after (about a year) her life began a downward spiral again (not going to go into the details now) and she got into some trouble. It's a shame there's no kind of happy ending but sometimes in life there isn't. Some overcome their problems and addictions and some don't....I wish everyone could.
George Middleditch is in contact and will call me and keep me posted on anything.
Thanks,
Steve
For those not familar with Lori, she was the toughest most feared female player/gambler in the 70s and 80s. You can find her name in the WPBA players guide under former tournament winners. She was also a former Player of the Year (83?).
Lori dropped out from the pool scene after battling a substance abuse problem that started in her teens and was living in Holland,Mi since the early 90s where she gave birth to a son (Christopher, 10ys/old). She had help from friends in a church group there where she got and stayed clean from her addictions.
When I opened my room up Lori called (we were friends since we were teens) and I told her if she wanted to start playing again and give it a shot a few of us would help. After talking with her over a period of time, she wanted to try so bad but was scared to be in the enviorment where her problems were the worst. I told her all I could do is try to help and if she was ever ready we'd be there.
I guess not long after (about a year) her life began a downward spiral again (not going to go into the details now) and she got into some trouble. It's a shame there's no kind of happy ending but sometimes in life there isn't. Some overcome their problems and addictions and some don't....I wish everyone could.
George Middleditch is in contact and will call me and keep me posted on anything.
Thanks,
Steve
