Mother Who Lost Three Children in Tragic Crash and Welcomed Triplets a Year Later Dies of Brain Cancer at 48

Lori Coble, a mother whose life was defined by both unimaginable loss and extraordinary resilience, has died after a battle with stage 4 brain cancer. She was 48.

Coble passed away at home on Jan. 21, surrounded by her loved ones, a family friend confirmed. Her death comes after months of aggressive treatment for glioblastoma, a fast-growing and incurable form of brain cancer.

“Lori passed away last night surrounded by her family,” the family friend told PEOPLE exclusively.

A Life Marked by Tragedy and Strength

In 2007, Lori and her husband Chris Coble suffered a devastating loss when their three young children — Kyle Christopher (5), Emma Lynn (4), and Katie Gene (2) — were killed in a car crash.

After months of grieving, the couple made the painful decision to try to rebuild their family. Just one year later, Lori gave birth to triplets, each named in honor of the siblings they lost:
Jake Christopher, Ashley Lynn, and Ellie Gene.

For the next 16 years, Lori devoted herself to raising her children and cherishing everyday moments, believing the worst tragedies were behind them.

Subtle Symptoms Led to a Devastating Diagnosis

In June 2025, Chris began noticing subtle but concerning changes in his wife. Lori became increasingly clumsy — bumping into walls, dropping objects, and tripping unexpectedly.

By early July, the symptoms escalated.

“Her mouth started to droop a little bit,” Chris previously told PEOPLE. “It became too much to ignore.”

Later that month, doctors diagnosed Lori with a large, aggressive stage 4 glioblastoma.

“I was hoping we were done with the life-changing disasters,” Chris said. “That life as you knew it yesterday was gone.”

Grueling Treatments and Rapid Decline

Over the following months, Lori underwent two brain surgeries in an attempt to remove the tumor. The second operation was especially invasive and left her without control of the left side of her body.

Soon after, she suffered a stroke and was placed into a medically induced coma. Lori spent 40 days hospitalized, with Chris rarely leaving her side.

Although she eventually returned home to begin chemotherapy and radiation, the treatments took a heavy toll. She became increasingly fatigued, and her speech deteriorated.

In November, doctors discovered a serious brain infection, requiring yet another surgery.

“You feel like she’s just being tortured,” Chris said. “Sometimes the treatment feels worse than the disease.”

Final Weeks and Hospice Care

Despite brief moments of strength — including scheduling a Zoom interview with PEOPLE in early December — Lori’s health continued to decline. She was soon hospitalized again with pneumonia and a lung infection.

Shortly afterward, she was brought home under hospice care, where her family focused on keeping her comfortable during her final days.

“I’m trying to make every day the best I can for her,” Chris said at the time. “I don’t want any regrets.”

Their triplets, now high school seniors, remained by her side throughout the final weeks.

Remembered for Her Courage

Chris announced Lori’s passing on Facebook, writing simply:
“Lori passed at 9:25 p.m. this evening.”

Friends and supporters have since shared tributes remembering Lori as a devoted mother, a survivor, and a woman who endured extraordinary hardship with grace.

A GoFundMe campaign has been created to support the family as they navigate life without her.