Posted on August 14, 2020
With deep sadness and great difficulty in sharing, Annamarie Kearns, a courageous Mesothelioma Warrior, passed away on August 13, 2020. Diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2014, Annemarie faced several rounds of chemotherapy and aggressive surgeries, but that never dampened her spirit, love for her family, friends, and efforts to ban asbestos and find a cure. Annamarie and her dear husband, Pete, became active ADAO volunteers and were loved dearly by our community.
Educating people about asbestos and the need for a ban and cure came easy for Annamarie. With a twinkle in her eye and witty humor, she put everyone at ease. Courageously, she has spent hours sharing her story in hopes of spreading awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure, and educating those around her to be able to prevent the spread of disease. I vividly remember a meeting with Senator Mike Lee’s staffer who sat mesmerized by Annamarie’s powerful yet tender story about how asbestos impacted her, her family, and their life.
Through the love of family and sweet blessings, Annamarie fought to help others. In 2016, Annamarie and her family held the “Rockin’ for Meso” event in their home town of West Jordan, Utah. The love for Annamarie was deeply felt and seen by the stories shared, support given, and adoration for her and her family.
In 2017, when Annamarie was unable to attend ADAO’s Asbestos Awareness and Prevention Conference, she asked her wonderful daughter, Hilarie, to make her speech. As she knew well, mesothelioma impacts the entire family. Annamarie was recognized with the 2018 Alan Reinstein Award for her unwavering dedication, leadership, and advocacy to ban asbestos.
With her family by her side, Annamarie transitioned to hospice this past June. Honoring her request for privacy, I didn’t share. She was stoic and accepting of her new journey. In the texts we shared this summer, she never shared anger, nor fear. Her faith and love gave her unending strength.
When I think about Annamarie I think about Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote, “It is not length of life, but depth of life.” I will forever be inspired by Annamarie’s strength, warmth, kindness, and how she deeply lived her life, and loved her family and friends.
Annamarie will live on in all of our hearts.
With love,
Linda Reinstein
Marilyn Amento: Annamarie and I shared a panel where she gave a powerful presentation about her battle with mesothelioma to the Congressional staffers in Feb 2016. Afterward, she spoke about her love for her family and how she couldn’t wait for me to meet the love of her life, Pete, who I was finally able to meet at our ADAO conference a couple months later. Her humor and passion for life will be sorely missed. Rest well, Annamarie.
Kim Cecchini, ADAO Board Member: Annamarie was an inspiration for all of us. She showed the real meaning of courage, of hope, and of a relentless and never-tiring warrior spirit. Her story will live on for all of us and is a reminder that it’s time to end asbestos exposure, once and for all. We were so grateful to have her be a part of our ADAO family and our sympathies and prayers go to her family and friends. She will be deeply missed. Kim Cecchini, ADAO Board Member
Ellen Costa, ADAO Board Member: Annamarie Kearns — know that we, the ADAO family will never forget you! You carefully and faithfully shared your story and chose to live a life of love. I will never forget your strength and courage. Rest well Annamarie.