Yonah Hurt never married but worked as a teacher in Macon schools for almost 30 years. Some of her students, like a few members of her 1958-1959 all-girl sophomore class, have remained close to their former teacher. And now, as she struggles with asbestos-related mesothelioma, they have stepped in as caregivers and surrogate family for the teacher that made such an impact on their lives.
A college classmate of Flannery O’Connor, Yonah Hurt was herself a character who became a friend and mentor to many of her students. She was known for her heart-felt and colorful sayings. She also wanted to become a writer, but her mother pushed her to teach.
Ironically, her mother’s attempt to provide her a secure future as a teacher is likely what caused her to eventually develop mesothelioma. Many older schools contain asbestos. If asbestos products are disturbed during repairs or remodeling or they crumble and disintegrate over time, they can release asbestos fibers and expose teachers to those fibers, or even students.
Malignant mesothelioma has a very long latency period. The disease takes decades to manifest after the initial asbestos exposure. Even small exposures to asbestos increases the risk of developing the disease.
For the full story, go to the Macon Telegraph.
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