Feb. 24, 2026

Earla Loses Leigh-Ann To Pancreatic Cancer

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Season 9

On Season 9, Episode 2 of The Surviving Siblings Podcast®, host Maya Roffler is joined by Earla Dawn, who shares the story of losing her sister, Leigh-Ann, to pancreatic cancer.

Earla takes us back to their childhood on the prairies, four siblings, endless fun, and the kind of relationship that started with “fighting like cats and dogs”… and grew into a deep, lifelong bond. Leigh-Ann was the polished one, the “always put together” sister, a devoted mom, a dog lover, and a woman who reinvented her life, starting over after divorce, and eventually moving across the world to Spain in 2006.

Even with an ocean between them, their connection never faded. They learned Skype, relied on phone calls and letters, and stayed emotionally close until a fall visit home revealed something no one was prepared for: a growth on Leigh-Ann’s pancreas. What followed was a short, devastating season filled with advocacy, tenderness, quiet courage, and moments of unexpected beauty.

This episode is a powerful reminder that grief isn’t just about the diagnosis or the timeline it’s about the small moments you carry forever: the way you follow your sibling’s lead, the calm you create for them, the love in the room, and the way connection can exist even without words.

In This Episode:

(0:00:00) – Meet Earla and Remembering Leigh-Ann
Earla shares their family dynamic, childhood memories, and how their relationship evolved over time.

(0:01:30) – From the Prairies to Spain: A Sisterhood That Stayed Close
Leigh-Ann’s big life moves, her reinvention, and how distance didn’t break their bond.

(0:04:00) – Subtle Symptoms and the Turning Point
Leigh-Ann’s ongoing stomach issues, declining stamina, and the moment she learned about the pancreatic growth.

(0:06:30) – “I Looked It Up Once… and Never Again”
Earla reflects on the shock of Dr. Google, the fear that followed, and what she learned about living day-by-day.

(0:08:00) – The Worst Day: “It’s All Over”
An oncologist appointment confirms the terminal diagnosis and Earla shares why not having an exact end date changed everything.

(0:09:30) – Following Leigh-Ann’s Lead
Earla explains how she honored Leigh-Ann’s choices, advocated for information, and created a calm, sacred space at home.

(0:11:30) – Palliative Support and the Permission of Time
The practical support that helped their family breathe and why planning ahead reduced panic later.

(0:14:00) – The List for Life (Not a Bucket List)
Leigh-Ann’s wishes: connection, warmth, marriage, travel and the decision to take a “honeymoon” to Hawaii.

(0:17:30) – Love, Humor, and the Moments That Stay
Earla shares an unforgettable experience of wordless connection laughing together in the quiet.

(0:20:00) – Her Final Days and a Peaceful Death
What it looked like, what helped, and why Earla believes we need to talk more honestly about end-of-life moments.

(0:22:30) – A Room Full of Love: Ritual, Meditation, and Goodbye
Earla guides a meditation after Leigh-Ann’s passing and describes the gentle, meaningful way they honored her.

(0:26:00) – Grace in Grief: Caring for Yourself While Losing Your Person
Earla shares what “giving yourself grace” looked like in real life including rest, boundaries, and self-trust.

(0:31:00) – Zines, Creativity, and Finding a Way Forward
How small, simple storytelling (zines) became an accessible form of grief processing and a bridge back to hope.

 

This episode is sponsored by The Surviving Siblings®

Connect with Earla: 

 

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