Happy Heavenly Birthday to you, dear Laurie. You are missed more than you could imagine. We would have had some great exchanges politically, no doubt about that! I often look at our pictures doing living history programs at Gunston and smile so broadly as they were such treasured times together. Those memories are a great comfort.

Tomorrow would have been Laurie's 64th birthday, please feel free to share a story as we remember her. One of my favorite is the year she wasn't happy we didn't have our Christmas Tree yet. She talked my Mom into giving her money and me into helping her. We walked through the snow to Mr. Palmer's house with my sled. We cut down the tree, tied it my sled. And we yanked and pulled the sled with the Christmas tree through the snow all the way home. We argued, and laughed, and sang Christmas carols all the way home. We were only about 10 and 12 years old at the time. We were tired and all sweaty, and soaked from falling down, but she was so proud we got that Christmas tree by ourselves. A wonderful memory!

Laurie, today is a day to celebrate you by fondly remembering the childhood adventures we shared. Once again, I am grateful we had the opportunity to reconnect, yet sad we didn’t see each other more often. I wish you peace. 

Laurie loved talking about history and politics — we would have a lot to discuss this past year! Laurie, thank you for being such a loyal and magnificent friend. We always will remember and cherish the joy you brought to our lives! 

As tomorrow draws closer, it will be the first anniversary of Laurie's passing. It is with a grateful heart I remember her life. Thankful she was my sister, thankful for the life she lead. Thankful for the love shared with our family, thankful she got to travel, thankful that she is remembered with a smile. Thankful for her wonderful friends, thankful her love of history touched so many. So thankful for the truly wonderful service at Pohick Church in her memory. So with that I will remember her life, not her illness or her death. Many blessing to all that loved her tomorrow as you remember with a smile.

I think of dear Laurie especially during her birthday month! She and I share the same birthday year and I remember especially our joint 60-year celebration among friends. In spite of the rain and dire weather predictions that evening, it was a night of laughter and many shared memories.   

Happy Birthday, my dear friend. You would be please with the beauty of the day, especially since it's Easter. Continue to teach those in heaven who are so blessed to call you their friend. Miss you.

Thinking of Laurie at her birthday, and all of your family at Easter. It doesn't seem like eight months since Laurie's passing. When you mentioned brussels sprouts in your tribute I had to smile - she always brought her wonderful roasted brussels sprouts to Apptis Thanksgiving potlucks. Ordinarily, I'm not a particular fan of that veggie but Laurie's were amazing and they were very popular at our holiday potluck. I'm thinking of her as her birthday approaches and wishing all the best to your family.

As Laurie's birthday approaches, I am brought back to memories of her birthday, and Easter celebrated with our family. Her birthday falls on Easter this year, which she would have enjoyed immensely.
Remembering the laughter, egg dying with Kate and Luke, Easter dinner at Cathy and Gene's, always with brussel sprouts made by Laurie. Please take a moment and post a memory of time spent with Laurie. A blessed Easter for all, as we stay safe and protect the ones we love. She is forever missed.

I attended Lake-Lehman elementary and high school with Laurie. Even then, her knowledge of history was amazing as was her love of horses and reading. We played field hockey together and had many play dates, sleepovers, and birthday parties. Although we lost touch over the years, Laurie was an important part of my early life. She has touched a lot of lives and will be sorely missed. (Margie Wolensky LLHS '75)

I met Laurie soon after I started my job as Curator at Gunston Hall. She had been hired as an interpreter, and I was to supervise the program. I knew nothing; she knew nothing. Little did I realize she was all in! That she would bring a wealth of knowledge and energy that would make a significant mark on Gunston Hall and my life!! 
Just some of the things she did . . .
Gave gazillions of tours,
Researched and developed materials for the interpreters, living history players and volunteers,
Gave lectures and programs,
Sought out lectures, programs, and new learning experiences,
Honed in on equestrian life in the 18th century,
Co-founded the Gunstonians, the GH living history program, with Jackie Geschickter (so much work the two of them did!),
Helped start two history book clubs,
Questioned and analyzed like crazy,
Was open to new ideas and information,
Strove to have a hands-on understanding of many aspects of 18th-century life.
She loved history with a passion. Her enthusiasm for it never waned!
I loved that she, Jackie Geschickter and I made numerous trips to NYC to take in “culture”, shop for 18th-century style goods, and poke about. So many great exhibits at the Met and plays that we saw!
I was lucky that we remained friends when I left Gunston Hall. I could always count on Laurie to come up with an interesting lecture, play, exhibit. She was always up for an adventure and to soak up more information on life and history. We went to the Women’s March together - an amazing experience. Her knowledge of politics both in the 18th century and 21st centuries always astounded me. She was even comfortable to have Robert Bork on one of her tours.
Will miss her so much!
Susan Borchardt

I first met Laurie at Gunston Hall. Laurie was very kind to me. I began Living History at Gunston Hall about 2010 and had no idea what I should do, what I should wear, and so forth. Laurie immediately introduced me to Keeley Sutphin, who could help me by making my 18th century clothing, as she made authentic outfits for the staff at Williamsburg. It had been suggested that I portray the tutoress to the young girls of George Mason. As I did not have any of my own 18th century attire at that time, Laurie generously loaned some of her outfits for me to use until my clothing was finished and ready to wear. Never did I have to worry about not having an outfit to wear. I remember that one of the outfits was her gray outfit that was suitable for “riding horses” during the 18th century. That was something that Laurie and I had in common. She told me about her experience with horses, and I told her about mine.
She also sent material to me by computer about George Mason, his family, the various and many documents which he was famous for writing, so that I could have copies that were usable. Unfortunately, the CD which had been provided to us did not work very well, so Laurie came up with an idea that worked.
Laurie was a bright light. Whenever she was at a luncheon with others from Pohick Church, or Gunston Hall, she was able to share many stories. She even shared some stories about her place of work. She had wonderful stories about the places in Great Britain and France that she visited. All of us will miss her telling those stories.
My husband and I were fortunate enough to have Laurie visit us at our home for barbecues.
Laurie was so lively and knowledgeable. Indeed, she will be missed by all of us.
Carole Thomas
Living History Interpreter, George Mason’s Gunston Hall
Docent, the Historic Pohick Church

Like all of us, I shall greatly miss my history-loving friend. Laurie and I met frequently at Mount Vernon for dinner, followed by author lectures. Additionally, we traveled to Williamsburg for informative and interesting symposiums and just enjoyed being in the ambience of the colonial capital.
When a loved one is no long physically with us, we are left with the significant comfort of memories. I truly believe that memories extend love over the years and enable our loved one to remain with us continually. Our friends and family members, who have passed on, continue to grow with us in our minds. In one of the Tiffany windows in the Blandford Church in Petersburg, Virginia are the wonderful words, “To remain in the hearts of those left behind is to never die.” So very true.
Some years ago, I came across a "poem" which brings comfort to those who mourn. It is included below and I hope that it will console Laurie’s friends and family as we forever remember her.
Ascension
And if I go,
while you're still here . . .
Know that I live on,
vibrating to a different measure
– behind a thin veil you cannot see through.
You will not see me,
so you must have faith.
I wait for the time when we can soar together again,
– both aware of each other.
Until then, live your life to its fullest.
And when you need me,
Just whisper my name in your heart,
. . . I will be there.

Laurie's Memorial Service will be on July 20th at the Pohick Church in Lorton, Virginia at 11:00. Please if you know any friends that would like to attend, please share this information with them.

I knew Laurie through my late wife Kiki who shared an avid interest with Laurie in history and in volunteering many selfless hours at both Gunston Hall and Pohick Church. Ultimately they also shared individual battles in fighting cancer. Laurie was a bright, vibrant and amicable individual that will be missed by many.
Dave Coderre

I so admired Laurie's intellect and knowledge of history. Together we facilitated an 18th century history reading group which we started at Gunston Hall over 20 years ago. She was so wonderful at suggesting books to read and keeping everyone coordinated on meeting dates. I was particularly fond of hearing Laurie's often critical review of the books - she could find errors in the author's research like no one else! She was an incredible resource to have at our meetings as she could answer almost any question on history and had total recall of all the books we had read over the years. I will miss her dearly.