Leah Susan Ek Asplin, a student at Meade Senior High School whose life was defined by her concern for others, died Tuesday of a brain tumor at her home in Severn. She was 16. She had been ill for 14 months with glioblastoma multiforme, a rare and extremely malignant brain tumor.
"Leah was always concerned about other people, even in her dying," said her father, the Rev. David R. Asplin, pastor of Christ The Servant Lutheran Church in Severn. "She was a very loving person who worried how her family and friends would be hurt by her death.
"Most of the 7,000 Americans, 50 of them children, who contract this kind of brain cancer annually live less than 10 months after diagnosis," Mr. Asplin said. "We believe that because Leah loved life and fought to both keep and enjoy it, because she had great faith in God and love for people, and because she had the best medical care in the world, she lived longer than expected," he said. "I think about her often," said Dr. Benjamin Carson, a neurosurgeon at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center, who operated on her. "She was very mature in the way she faced this illness and wasn't the kind of person who willingly threw in the towel. She was a tremendous fighter and went the last mile."
Carolyn Bublitz, a church youth group leader and friend for eight years, said, "Even though there was more than a 20-year age difference between us, we were close friends. She had the wisdom and sensitivity beyond her 16 years. As a friend, she was always ready to share my accomplishments and frustrations.
"She was one of the common bonds in our congregation. Everyone loved her and felt connected through her."
"Leah worked with me as a day care assistant one summer and exhibited her talents in working with young children. She had hoped to work with children someday professionally, possibly as a child psychologist," Ms. Bublitz said.
Ellen Campion, a schoolmate and friend for five years, said, "I'll always remember her positive attitude about things and her deep religious faith."
Leah was born in Cavalier, N.D., and lived in Allen, Texas, and Kennedy, Minn., before her family moved to Severn in 1987. She attended Jessup Elementary School, McArthur Middle School and Meade, where she was a member of the National Thespian Society. She recently was inducted into the National Honor Society.
"She loved . . . big band and '50s music," said Mr. Asplin. "We're going to play a tape of [Jimmy] Durante singing 'Make Someone Happy' at the memorial service today. She really loved that song."
The memorial service was to be held at 5:30 p.m. today at Jessup Elementary School on Route 175. A funeral is planned for Monday in Hopkins, Minn.
Other survivors include her mother, Linda Asplin; a brother, Peter Asplin; a sister, Elizabeth Asplin; her paternal grandparents, Roger and Evelyn Asplin of Eden Prairie, Minn.; her maternal grandmother, Julia Ek of Hopkins, Minn.; and aunts and uncles.
Memorial donations may be made to the Johns Hopkins Children's Center, Reed Hall, Room 204, 1620 McElderry St., Baltimore 21205; or to Christ The Servant Lutheran Church, Building Fund, 7796 Elberta Drive, Severn 21144.