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Code's fight inspired scores

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By JOEY JOHNSTON

jjohnston@tampatrib.com

Published: November 11, 2009

TAMPA - Although she had a lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis, Tampa's Mallory Code became one of the nation's top junior golfers. She won a state championship at Chamberlain High School and earned a scholarship to the University of Florida.

Feel sorry for herself? Never. Even though she endured periodic hospital stays through most of her life, she poked fun and was constantly smiling. She always thought first about others, even checking herself out of an Orlando hospital last month and hurriedly driving back to Hyde Park so she could attend the long-planned birthday party of her beloved 1-year-old niece.

She was a highly sought inspirational speaker who delivered her message to thousands of people - without using notes.

"She was an inspiration and she was a trooper," said Code's father, Brian.

Code died Monday night after being admitted to St. Joseph's Hospital over the weekend with a blood infection and pneumonia.

Her condition worsened and she contracted severe swelling of the brain.

She passed away at about 6:30 p.m.

Code was 25.

Her father said Code always maintained a positive attitude. Because of the cystic fibrosis, a chronic lung disease that afflicts 30,000 Americans, she was vulnerable to infections and other conditions, although they generally only slowed down her active life.

In 2005, Code spent three months in The Children's Hospital of Denver, fighting for her life, battling acute respiratory distress syndrome and pneumonia brought on by complications from her disease.

"Some days I feel like I've climbed a mountain and I get to the top and I see a whole mountain range behind that I still have to climb," she said then. "I handle it with a little bit of humor and a little bit of tears. Some of both."

Code's obvious passion was golf and she competed one season for the Gators. Earlier, she and sister Whitney helped Chamberlain win state team titles in 1999 and 2000. She won four American Junior Golf Association titles between 2000 and 2002. She also played for the 2002 U.S. Junior Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup teams.

Code also played the piano (Beethoven's Fifth Symphony was a favorite). She loved dancing (ballet and tap). She was an avid follower of Gator football and graduated from UF in August with an English degree.

Of late, as she settled into her own apartment in the Carrollwood area, Code had launched a Web site ("The Deal Bloodhound") that helped families save money on groceries through links to coupons.

"She wasn't going to stop achieving something," Brian Code said. "And the thing was, it was always about helping somebody else."

HBO's "Real Sports" once featured Code's story. She appeared on the "Today" show.

"My life is perfect in almost every way," Code said in 2001. "I've got this awesome family, awesome friends and an awesome relationship with the Lord Jesus. I've got golf, dance, everything. I don't want to be the little sick girl out there."

Code's father said he's still amazed at the number of people his daughter touched and influenced. When Code was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at 6 weeks old, her life expectancy was 16 to 18 years. Through medical advances, that number has increased to 40 years.

"She accomplished so much in life, but in the earthly manner, we will miss her so much," Code's father said. "But we know where she is now and we know how much good she did during her life. For that, we are so grateful."

Code is survived by her parents, Brian and Karen; her sister, Whitney; and brother, Jordan.

A visitation is set for Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m., at Idlewild Baptist Church in north Tampa. The funeral will be held at Idlewild on Friday at 11 a.m.

Reporter Joey Johnston can be reached at (813) 259-7353.

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