By Mark Hansel
NKyTribune contributor
The woman whose two-year battle with cancer united a Northern Kentucky community has died.
Debbie Brock said her sister, Julie Randolph, was with family members as she succumbed to her illness at St. Elizabeth Hospice in Edgewood Thursday evening.
“Julie was surrounded by her family and died peacefully listening to her kids talking and Jimmy Buffet music playing on her IPod,” Brock said.
Randolph’s battle to live long enough to see her daughter, Gracie Randolph, graduate from Bellevue High School was realized Feb. 10, thanks to a remarkable act of compassion from people in this small community.
Randolph was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in January, 2013 which spread throughout her body. Doctors only gave her a few months to live, but Julie was determined to see Gracie turn 18 in April and graduate in May. She took treatments to help extend her life and for a time it looked as if she would achieve those goals.
Despite the serious nature of her illness, Randolph continued to work as a supervisor of collections for Tri-Health until late January when hospice was called in.
It became clear then that Julie was not going to survive until the formal graduation for Bellevue High seniors and family members, friends, teachers and school administrators organized a special graduation just for Gracie.
More than 200 people filled the small auditorium at Bellevue High School in a tear-filled event that drew national media attention.
Gracie received her diploma and delivered a moving speech that was a final tribute to her mother, whom she called her best friend.
“You’ve always been my number one fan – you are the reason I stand here today,” Gracie Randolph said. “You are an amazing person. Thank you. I love you.”
About 30 members of the senior class attended the ceremony and entered the auditorium to “Pomp and Circumstance,” preformed by the Bellevue High School Band of Gold.
Gracie will participate in the formal graduation May 22, but said the special ceremony is a memory that will stay with her forever.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
See NKyTribune’s Mom’s dying wish comes true.