University student dies after having stroke

University student dies after having stroke

By: J.J. Alcantara
Posted: 4/24/08

University student Elizabeth Ann Harris died Tuesday afternoon at Ocshner Medical Hospital in New Orleans after suffering a stroke in her apartment

She was 18.

One of Harris' roommates found her having a seizure inside their University Crescent apartment Monday, and Emergency Medical Services rushed Harris to Baton Rouge General Hospital at Bluebonnet.

From there, she was transported to Ocshner where she died.

Despite dealing with six years of health problems, Harris' father, Eugene Harris, said she lived her life happily and remained optimistic. Harris was scheduled to have a kidney transplant this summer.

Eugene Harris said his daughter was diagnosed with long-term chronic kidney problems when she was 12 and had to deal with it throughout high school.

A family member offered to donate a kidney to Elizabeth Harris.

"She was a sweet kid," Eugene Harris said. "She didn't have an evil bone in her body."

Elizabeth Harris was known by her family and friends as "Liz."

Kelli Branigan, mass communication freshman, said she was Elizabeth Harris' friend since high school.

"She never let her medical problems affect the way she looked at life," Branigan said. "She always walked out of the door with a smile on her face."

Elizabeth Harris, a 2007 graduate of Mount Carmel Academy in New Orleans, had plans to become a nurse. After graduating from LSU, she wanted to continue her education at the LSU Health Sciences Center School of Nursing.

Branigan said her friend always wanted to help people.

Eugene Harris said his daughter was a cheerleader in high school and was involved in student council.

He also said she spent a lot of time volunteering at Mount Carmel.

"She was always there for people," Eugene Harris said. "She was the kind of person you can always feel comfortable around."

Rachel Schultz, kinesiology freshman and a close friend of Elizabeth Harris, said her friend was a great person.

"Everybody loved her," Schultz said.

Anne Weaver, Elizabeth Harris's mother, said her daughter was always on top of things.

Weaver said she maintained her grades and was very good about her schoolwork.

Eugene Harris said his daughter went through a lot, especially this past year.

"[Elizabeth] was really able to stay very optimistic and cheery about life," Eugene Harris said. "She wouldn't talk about [her problems] because she didn't want to bother other people with it."

Dozens of Elizabeth Harris' friends have written messages to her expressing their sorrow on her Facebook.com profile.

"She always knew how to put a smile on someone's face," Branigan said.

Branigan said 11 of Elizabeth Harris' closest friends from high school will always honor her with their motto, "We'll always be one of 11."

A visitation and wake is scheduled at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church, 4921 W. Metairie Ave., Metairie, on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to noon. A funeral mass will be held at the church at noon.

Immediately after the mass, a burial ceremony will be held at Garden of Memories Cemetery and Mausoleums, 4900 Airline Drive, Metairie.

Kristine Calongne, director of public affairs, said the University wants to remind students Mental Health Service offers counseling if they need someone to talk to.

Acting Chancellor William Jenkins said in an e-mail that he was saddened to learn about Elizabeth Harris' death.

"It is always a tragedy to lose someone so young, but to lose a member of the LSU family affects us all in a profound way," Jenkins said. "My thoughts and prayers are with Elizabeth's family and friends, as well as all members of the LSU community who knew and loved her."

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Contact J.J. Alcantara at jalcantara@lsureveille.com

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