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Her Life

Lauren's Later Years

December 29, 2015
After starting college in Arizona, Lauren relocated to California, earning a B.A. in Communications and Public Relations at California State University, Fullerton.  She later earned an M.P.S. in Political Management from George Washington University.  After receiving her bachelor's degree, Lauren desired a career in politics, accepting a position with the All America PAC during the 2006 midterm elections.  Continuing her career in the political arena, Lauren became the Press Secretary for Congressman Cuellar (D-TX) followed by a position as Communications Director for Congresswoman Matsui (D-CA).  Lauren also loved the campaign side of her field and next became Indiana's Statewide Communications Director for the Democratic National Committee during the 2008 election.  Moving back to DC, Lauren served as Congressman McNerney's (D-CA) Communications Director and Deputy Chief of Staff.  Briefly moving to Montana, Lauren became a Communications Consultant for John Walsh's campaign followed by another move back to DC as Senator Walsh's (D-MT) Deputy Communications Director.  Lauren's final position was in the office of Congressman Honda (D-CA) as his Communications Director and Senior Advisor.  

Lauren's earlier years influenced her preferences and character later in life, as she remained a loyal fan of baseball, loved to read, fought prejudice, and was a kind and compassionate friend who could raise another's spirits.  Lauren was also interested in other countries and cultures and traveled to Costa Rica, Peru, Iceland, and Ireland.

A self-proclaimed "foodie," one of Lauren's greatest interests was cooking, something that was a pleasant surprise since she was raised on traditional Midwestern meals.  Lauren strove to never cook the same meal twice and to cook healthy but delicious meals, both goals that she achieved.  She was working to publish a cookbook that we are hoping will one day become a reality.  Additionally, Lauren maintained a blog, One If By Food, that her good friend Cathy Cook has graciously volunteered to maintain.

Lauren, you were a wonderful person, always quick to laugh, incredibly witty and intelligent, and extremely caring for others.  The world was a better place when you were part of it. 

Lauren's Early Years

December 29, 2015

Lauren was born on August 18, 1978, in Illinois and she certainly was anxious to begin her wonderful life, deciding to make her appearance before the doctor had time to arrive to deliver her.  Throughout her early childhood, she was an energetic, intelligent, happy child who enjoyed many hours playing with her best friend, Colleen Koehl, who lived two houses away.  At the age of four, she attended her first Chicago White Sox baseball game, beginning a lifetime love of the sport.  

Throughout grade school, Lauren was at the head of her class, occasionally demonstrating a better grasp of the subject matter than her teachers.  She was also involved in dancing, swimming, gymnastics, softball, and ice skating. During this time, she developed a love of reading that lasted throughout her life.  In middle school, she continued to excel academically and spent several years extremely interested in whales.  She won her school district's Young Authors contest for the book she wrote and illustrated dealing with the topic of prejudice and not judging people by their appearance.

At the age of 13, Lauren moved to Arizona where she continued her academic excellence and also participated in the extracurricular activities of cheerleading and serving as her school's yearbook editor.  Having earlier viewed the movie "Strictly Ballroom," Lauren started taking ballroom dance lessons, a practice that lead her to later compete and teach as a professional ballroom dancer.  During her senior year of high school, she was selected to be an on-field performer during the pre-game Superbowl activities.