The University is mourning the death of University official Staci Pepitone, who lost her fight with esophageal cancer Thursday at Our Lady of the Lake hospital.Services will honor Pepitone tomorrow at Christ the King Catholic Center. Visitation will be held from 8 to 9 a.m., and a memorial service will follow from 9 to 9:30 a.m. A mass will take place after the memorial from 9:30 to 10 a.m.A group of Pepitone’s friends are endowing an LSU oak tree in her name and are accepting donations for the last unnamed oak tree on the Parade Ground.Friends are invited to attend the dedication of the Staci Pepitone Memorial Oak immediately following the mass.Forty-four-year-old Pepitone joined the University community in 1998. She worked most recently as assistant to the vice chancellor of Finance and Administrative Services, where she helped organize event planning for external groups on campus and organized logistical matters for film and television productions on campus.She helped coordinate special projects and events, such as the University Ring Program, and managed leases with sororities and fraternities.”Staci was a dynamic individual who was committed to serving our University,” said Student Government President Stuart Watkins. “Every student and faculty member loved her fun-loving approach to business.”Pepitone also advised departments like the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Life, Office of the Dean of Students and Student Government.”I worked with her right after I was elected, and she gave me lots of advice and insight on the job,” Watkins said. “I really appreciated her reaching out.”Pepitone fought to increase awareness about cancer, specifically esophageal cancer. She documented her treatment on her Web site, Geaux Past Cancer, and her Facebook page.She was an active public speaker and spoke on a variety of topics ranging from her experiences with cancer to college and career planning.Pepitone was a Dayton, Ohio, native and attended Wright University before coming to LSU.She was a sports fan and loved college football and basketball, especially March Madness. Pepitone also enjoyed books, movies and traveling, said Kristine Calongne, assistant vice chancellor of Public Affairs.–Contact Grace Montgomery at [email protected]