In celebrating the happy times in Lauren's life today, the fun we had at the old Comiskey Park cheering on our Chicago White Sox cannot be ignored.  One year, we attended a baseball game on Lauren's birthday.  When she arrived at her seat, she found a gift-wrapped box with a tag that said the present was to Lauren from the White Sox.  She was thrilled to find a stuffed animal of one of the Sox mascots and even more excited that the White Sox remembered her on her special day.  Clearly important to her, this was one of the few toys from Lauren's childhood that she kept throughout her life. 

Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter!

With love,

Mommy  
     








             

This photo was part of the slideshow presented at Lauren's memorial service. When the picture was displayed, someone in the crowd laughed and said, "Yep--that's Lauren!"  With the uncanny ability to understand others in their time of need, Lauren knew when to lend a sympathetic ear, when to provide sound advice, or when to make them laugh. On this second anniversary of her death, my wish is that all of us will remember the friendship Lauren offered, find joy in life through both the good times and the bad, and carry on her ability to brighten someone else's day. Lauren, we will always miss you.

Growing up, one of the ways we'd celebrate birthdays in our family was to indulge in waffles topped with the birthday girl's choice of ice cream for breakfast.  Even in her adult years, Lauren continued to relish the childhood treat on her big day.

The waffles-and-ice-cream tradition carries on in our house as we celebrate the day Lauren came into the world.  We remember the joy and laughter that she brought into our lives with every sweet bite.

Happy birthday, little sis.

When Lauren was in grade school, one of her assignments was to create a list of things she wanted to accomplish. Since one of her goals was to "take and pass a college class," finishing this list took many years. The last thing she completed was to "visit the Grand Canyon," something she achieved in 2014. This photo certainly represents the joy that Lauren spread to those around her. 

It is hard to believe that you have been gone for one year. Every day, I miss your positive spirit, sharing the ups and downs of life, and simply you being you.

With much love,

Mommy    


     


    

Happy birthday to our beautiful daughter.  Thank you for continuing to send us glittery reminders that your spirit is still with us.  Know that you always were and always will be loved. 

Mom and Sean   

I remember Lauren as a beautiful and happy young girl, always playing and running around her neighborhood in Joliet, Illinois. She was a loving, kind, delightful child. She has clearly made an impact and difference in the lives of so many people. So sorry that she is gone.

Aunt Lauren, we loved whenever you'd visit us in San Francisco. Even though we don't always like people, you always patiently paid special attention to each one of us, and we couldn't help but offer kitty kisses and snuggles in return. We remember the way you laughed when Bungee wedged her head into one of your shoes and walked around the house that way.

Much love from your fuzzy friends. We will miss exploring your suitcase, sitting on your clothes, and sleeping on your head.

My story of Lauren will be very similar to that of my sister Colleen. We grew up 2 doors down from Lauren in Joliet, along with her sister Jenny.  For as long as I can remember we all were friends and playmates, spending nearly every day of our early lives together.  My memories from those childhood years are so special and happy.  There are too many to count, really. But there are a few in particular that are more vivid than others, such as the time we put on a basement production of Little Orphan Annie, and another time when we built a haunted house maze with mattresses.  We shared some very 80’s childhood moments like eating pop tarts, drinking Ghostbusters Ecto-cooler out of Star Wars glasses, watching the Michael Jackson thriller video, dancing to Madonna, and playing with Cabbage Patch kids.  We climbed trees, ran through sprinklers, made couch forts, and played tag. I even remember being very young and playing Barbie’s in Lauren’s room.  We spent so much time together that I really consider Lauren to be my other little sister.  

Even at such a young age, Lauren was wickedly smart, funny, imaginative and had a love for life.  In recent time I was very happy to reconnect with Lauren again when she came to stay with Colleen in Chicago a few years ago.  Luckily, we remained in touch via Facebook ever since.   It seems that same smart, happy girl I grew up with, has brought joy to everyone else she has met as well.  I also admire her strong work ethic, dedication to progressive ideals and passion for cooking.  We had many online discussions regarding cooking and healthy eating, sharing recipes and tips.  She also reached out to me to help my band’s music get heard through the connections she’s made thorough her work. Lauren was a one of a kind person, that all of us were extremely lucky to have had to be a part of our lives.  It’s a tremendous loss that she is gone.  Despite the profound sadness I feel, I also am grateful for that spark of joy and imagination that she brought to my childhood, and will stay with me for the rest of my life. Lauren, you will be forever missed and loved.  Xoxo Melissa

I didn't have the chance to know Lauren all that long, just since she started working in the Honda office. She was the only communications director to join our office with a multi-year history of working on Capitol Hill, and I remember how that made the transition much easier. Instead of having to explain everything about the legislative process to her, I was actually able to learn things about it from her (she taught me somethings about communications, too, like all of the communications directors). I'll miss her professionalism and straightforwardness, and also her laugh. Thanks for everything Lauren. 

Tonight we friends gathered together at Barcelona to remember you and eat and drink some of your favorite dishes. Yes they even had roasted marrow bones! We shared stories of food, fun and good times with you. We plotted and planned good things which will be done in your name. We know you were there with us from the get go. Much love Lauren, from Alisa, Pedro, Kristen, Nish, Paul and me. 

I met Lauren when I started my fellowship in Congressman Honda's office last fall. Actually, before I met her, other staff were already talking about how we should have a dance-off, since we both used to compete in ballroom dancing.  Once we actually met, we got to explain to everyone how this dance-off would be complicated by issues like ' it's supposed to be a partner dance' and 'there's a big difference between ballroom and latin'. 

Lauren was a joy to work with, always upbeat and positive, and extremely patient in helping me learn a new writing style. She had such a warm laugh, and karaoke with her was a blast.

I'll miss her walking by my desk wrapped in her purple blanket/shawl because it was always so cold in the office. (and really it was cold, even if no one else seemed to be other than the two of us)

I wish I'd had more time to learn from her and share in some of the culinary adventures I'd heard so much about.  

Thank you Lauren, we miss you.  

I first met Laurie through Kendall when I lived down in HB. My first meeting with her was when she just got Lily, her rambunctious little dog. Laurie was always happy, full of life and didn't dwell on any drama. The three of us clicked immediately and thought it would be fun if we each had our dogs, yes three female dogs. Craziness was what our lives turned into, lol. She would always be working at the Longboard so we would get on our bikes and go to visit her until they closed then continued our adventure down Main Street until everything closed down. We would always dance to "flash dance" late at night and just have fun without having any cares what others thought. Our house flooded one winter and of course the three of us would laugh about it thinking " is this really happening?" Oh but who can forget our white trash party with beer can wind chimes and spaghetti ohs in the crockpot.

It seems so surreal that we are where we are right now going on with life with out you Laurie. You always knew how to lighten a situation and I always admired how much of a listener you were. We had some conversations that I will never forget and I often find myself thinking of the advice she gave. Laurie always had a way to make you laugh and make you realize life is too short to dwell on the little things. I admire how driven she was with everything that she did and how you make a change for you and no one else. 

Laurie, it saddens me deeply that you are no longer with us. All I can do is think of the memories we made and how heaven truly did gain an angel. I know you are dancing away up there and telling us it is ok. I still am in shock that I am writing memories about you. I never really thanked you for everything you had done and all of the times you were a shoulder for me. So thank you Laurie for being a part of my life. I will always cherish the memories and have you in my thoughts. 

Miss you lady!

I had the great pleasure of interning with Congressman Honda this past fall and getting to know Lauren in the process. Lauren was quite literally always laughing -- we could hear her laugh from all over the office. It brightened everyone's day. 

A genuine and good-natured person, Lauren took time out of her day to mentor myself and the other interns. She helped us to learn, grow, and become better writers and better people.  

I will always remember Lauren for her outrageously wonderful personality and her ability to follow her passion.

Thank you for all that you did and all that you were, Lauren. Rest in peace. We miss you.  

- Jess 

I was fortunate enough to be one of the waifs and strays that Cathy mentioned in her story (more stray than waif for sure) during the Thanksgiving of 2010. Lauren and I instantly connected in our attitude towards life and love of good food and drink. Over the next five years our similar humor and outlook on life made us good friends.

Her kindness showed through the day after Thanksgiving of 2011 when she found out I spent the holiday alone. I got a tongue lashing I haven't forgotten because no matter what, you were to be with people that cared about you, and apparently I should have been at her place. At that point I knew she was a true friend.

I've been fortunate enough to not only partake in, but photograph some of Lauren's culinary delights since then. I hope to aid in the completion of her "One If By Food" cookbook soon, letting her live on through it...

From the minute Lauren walked in the first day, she changed our office. Her bright smile and disposition infected everyone around her. I always looked forward to visiting her corner of the office. There’s usually at least one person who holds back in accepting someone new, but with Lauren, there wasn’t any delay, everyone in the office accepted her right away.

Lauren didn't take things personally, and her professional attitude made for easy working conditions. I could request massive changes in something she proposed and she was happy to accommodate my suggestions.

I know that Lauren had good relationships with reporters because they’ve told me so, but it was obvious at the time. Whenever I spoke about a reporter, Lauren had already spoken to that reporter and knew what their interest was. She spoke to them regularly and opened up new relationships for our office. 

During the 2012 campaign, she worked in Stockton for about three months even though she only expected to be there for a few weeks. I’d come in to the office in the morning, only to find her at her desk with a water bottle, having worked all night, still thinking of ways to spin the day’s story or how to break into the news cycle. She worked hard and won everyone’s respect.

And it wasn’t only Lauren's work that impressed. She had been a professional dancer and had a chef’s blog, among other things, and had worked on many tough campaigns and offices.

I had the opportunity to see Lauren around Capitol Hill on occasion over the last two years. She always wore that great smile, and I’d walk away from chance encounters feeling better.

Lauren was lucky to build a career doing the work she loved - right up until the end. She left us too early, and I will miss her.

- Jerry 

I first met this wonderful girl over a very large turkey at a gathering of waifs and strays on Thanksgiving. That we discussed cooking from the first moment was portentous. Within weeks we were gathering together in my kitchen and cooking up a storm. If you were one of the fortunate few to be invited to Foodies Nights, it was due to Lauren's generosity and that you'd passed her critical eye - either as an aspiring chef or worthy gourmand. 

Lauren often shared her love with people by cooking for them and I don't believe anyone who tasted her cooking ever walked away unsatisfied or uneducated. It was indeed a feast for all the senses. Also few loved sampling the delights of new restaurants and chefs and food in cities like Lauren. 

I vividly remember her nearly killing me by walking me four miles through the midday sun, heat and humidity of Nassau, Bahamas to visit a farmers' market and purchase some local produce. Of course the result was ghost peppers (smuggled back to DC), the most succulent avocadoes (for breakfast the next day) and all other manner of strange an interesting delights. 

Our kitchen will seem a little more empty without her. Miss you Chef.

From our first meeting on her first day on the Baron Hill campaign in 2006, where I introduced myself and her hilarious response, I knew me and LSmith were going to be friends for life.  She encouraged me to transition to DC, was my sherpa in Denver for the 2008 Convention and general co-conspirator dand good friend in DC.  I'm still somewhat shocked as I saw her right before I left DC with no idea that we'd be in this position less than six months later.  Kind of speechless, honestly.  

I'm a better person for having known her.  Sad that she's gone but glad she's at peace.  

Love always, 

"Missus Lee"