LEXINGTON — A teacher whose story captured the nation’s attention when her family was given a new home by the ABC television show “Extreme Home Makeover” in 2009 succumbed to cancer Thursday.
Tricia Annette Chapman Creasey was 39.
In November 2009, area volunteers, organizations and companies helped build a new home for Creasey, her husband William and their daughters, Brittany, Makenzie and Makayla.
Creasey, who taught seventh-grade science and social studies, was nominated for the new home as she battled stage four colorectal cancer.
The Creaseys’ old house was built in the 1930s and had no insulation, a leaking roof and other structural problems. It didn’t have hallways, and the master bedroom was in the middle of the house, affording her no privacy.
In five days, Hedrick Creative Building in Lexington and more than a thousand volunteers constructed a new home a master bedroom located on one side to offer Creasey more comfort and rest. The home was equipped with an air filtration system air filtration system that runs constantly, keeping air clean of allergens and impurities that compromised her immune system.
For the children, the volunteers built a playground next to the house lined with padded artificial turf.
Memorials may be made to State Employees Credit Union, Tricia Creasey Memorial Fund for her children, Lexington, NC 27292.
Online condolences may be made at www.davidsonfuneralhome.net .