Michaela Bernardo '16
As so many others experienced, Sister Laura never failed to bring a smile to my face and make me feel covered by love when she would light up in joyful greeting anytime she saw me. I am so thankful for all the times I ran into her on campus and met with her for spiritual direction. She helped me to see where God was working in my life and always encouraged me to see Him in everyone I encountered. Sister Laura radiated Christ's light so well, and I will miss her.
Sister Mary Eucharista, SMMC '16
Thank you, dear sister friend, for your beaming smile and words of humor when I would pass your office at University Ministry. I miss you! Please continue to bring joy to the hearts of the young people you served so lovingly for so many years.
Helen Maio '89
I’ll never forgot when Sister Laura took me out for Margaritas my senior year. I thought it was so cool to have a drink with her. What was really cool was Sister Laura. Her faith, her humor, kindness, intelligence and grace. Rest Peacefully my dear.
Tori Ford-Vigil '99
The many retreats, spiritual direction, chapel masses, and our first trip to Mississippi with Mission:Possible: Sr. Laura illuminated the world with the light of Christ, the joy and mercy and forgiveness of Christ, a true companion on my journey and countless others.
Theresa Cunningham '16
Sister Laura often visited Welch when I lived there and she always had a huge smile on her face and was so welcoming. One day she came to SubCo when I was working and I paid for her order as a thank you. I will never forget how grateful she was for such a small deed and how she remembered me and said hello whenever I saw her around after that. I never knew her well, but just seeing her smiling face made my day.
Sr. Angelicah Njuguna '17
A big loss for us on this side; a great gain for heaven. I lived for close to five years across Sr. Laura's community - at Neville Manor House. It was always nice to notice Sr. Laura walking towards her car with optimism or crossing paths during an evening walk, with a contagious smile on her face. Rest in God's perfect peace forever our dear Sr. Laura and now that you're closer to Jesus, pray constantly for us to remain faithful to Him to the end. RIP.
Peggy Sue Loroz '95
Senior year, my friends and I lived in the house on Mission next to "The Sisters." Sr. Laura would stand at her kitchen window and call, "Hellooo, Neighbor!" whenever she saw us coming and going from the house. She also loved to extend a cheery "Good morning!" to any boyfriends leaving the house under her watch. :) I have many fond memories of Sr. Laura, but these interactions are top of mind because they remind me of the love she shared in everyday interactions as well as her devilish sense of humor. I'm so grateful to have known her.
Carol Allen '03
My memories of Sr Laura come not from my time at GU, although I earned a PhD there in 2003, but from working with her as a volunteer from Transitions where we served on several Board committees and the Board of Directors. Sr. Laura had such a heart for the women we serve and a deep understanding of their needs and gifts. She was an example of kindness and caring for each and every person she encountered regardless of their age, race, religion or station in life. She was a gentle spirit with a wicked sense of humor that lightened sometimes difficult conversations. My heart is sad knowing I will never see her sitting with the GU Women's BB team again. Rest in Peace Sr. Laura.
Luke Janicki '15
I still remember one of your catch phrases, and I say it to my roommates sometimes when I'm leaving the apartment: "Another day, another dollar!" It was always so hilarious when you would say this before we walked out into the chapel before Mass every day. We weren't exactly making any money haha. Your smile and ridiculously joyful sense of humor are sources of strength we'll carry with us always. Rest in peace, Sr. Laura.
Greg McCarron '91
We remember Sister Laura when at the MAC for Fan Fest or at the away games for the Women's Basketball Games, and coming into the arena and seeing Sister Laura, she would greet you with a big smile and hug, and it always made you feel special. Sister Laura was so easy to talk to and she was a great listener and she had a great big heart. It was a pleasure to get to know Sister Laura through the years, we will always cherish the memories, and what a wonderful friend she was. May God cradle her in his arms for all eternity. Rest In Peace Sister Laura. We Love You Sister Laura. Love, Greg & Vanessa McCarron
Elizabeth Giedraitis (Leendertsen) '92
I have such fond memories of Sr. Laura. She was my favorite Teacher at Sacred Heart School in Bellevue, WA. During my years at GU, I loved seeing and visiting with Sr. Laura. She was such a wonderful and caring Woman and will be missed dearly. Rest in Peace, Sr. Laura.
Sandy Lindsey '98
Working and going to school at GU was an awesome experience, and it was so much fun to see Laura walk down to my office in her short skirt and those lovely white gogo boots!!!! I had previous experiences with nuns, but nobody could top Laura for her love of others, her caring attitude and devotion to the lord, the students, all in GOGO Boots. She was an unconventional leader and a great lady. She will be missed.
David Dingler '12
Sr. Laura was such a nice presence on campus. I loved seeing her every day. Sr. Laura was one of my favorite people at Gonzaga and I will miss her dearly.
Chanse Pierson '14
I used to work at the Crosby help desk next to the University Ministry during my freshman year and she would always greet me with a smile and a warm hello. She made my first year at Gonzaga so welcoming and comfortable and I always appreciated her for that as well as her kind words of encouragement throughout my time at Gonzaga. Words cannot describe how much she will be missed.
Sharon and Joe Cade '76
Just a thank you to Sr. Laura for her presence in everything Gonzaga. She always had that smile and genuine concern for all. You won't be forgotten. Thank you.
Mike Kelsey '10
Sr. Laura served as a cornerstone to my faith formation at GU, as well as a foundational guide to helping me understand how to process a new and growing spirituality that I’ll carry forever. As a spiritual director to me my freshman year, one of the first things she assigned me to do was carry around a bag of ‘gold nuggets’ in my pocket. The nuggets really weren’t anything more than chocolates wrapped in gold foil, probably something you could find at any tourist trap in the PNW. Each day I was supposed to use the nuggets as a reminder to see God’s ‘gold’ around me each day. I asked if I was supposed to eat one whenever I ‘saw’ God and she said “No! Bring those all back next week!” I returned the bag of chocolate at our next meeting and she placed them back on her shelf as I discussed my experience. Before I left I asked if I could have one since I made it through the week and she smiled and said no, they were just supposed to be a reminder. I came back a week later and noticed the nuggets were gone. I asked if she’d given them to another advisee and she laughed said, “Oh no, I actually ate them all! They were so good!” Looking back, this was just the first of so many moments that helped define the humorous and (intentionally and unintentionally) amusing woman that she was and her memory continues to be. Sister, thank you for teaching me to see God’s gold everyday in the simplicities and complexities of life. I’ll always count you as one of the greatest consolations He put in my Gonzaga education. Whenever I visit the Student Chapel and watch a sacristan prepare for mass I’ll smile and think of how important you were to me in a similar role years ago, as well as so many other Zags over time. Rest peacefully. Pray for us. We’ll continue to pray for you. AMDG
Jacob Hiatt '11
Sister Laura was an amazingly warm individual. She loved supporting Gonzaga athletics and was always welcoming with a huge smile. I’m blessed to have met such a truly genuine individual.
Colleen (Groff) Steelquist '89
I first met Sr. Laura when she taught my sister at Our Lady of Fatima in Seattle. She made this shy kindergartener feel important and welcomed. On my first day at Gonzaga, not knowing a soul, I ran into Sr. Laura and once again felt welcomed and assured that GU would come to feel like home. I worked for her in Campus Ministry and she guided me as my confirmation sponsor. She offered a limitless supply of hugs, humor, and encouragement. And when I dropped my firstborn at Gonzaga, she welcomed him, too. Dearest Sr. Laura, we rejoice that you’re in heaven but we will miss you so.
Peg Haun-McEwen '86
I happened to be on the hiring committee as a student representative when Sister Laura applied to come work at Gonzaga. Every time I saw her over the past 32 years she would tell people I hired her to come to GU. I fell in love with her spirit, smile and the fact that she called me Hauny every time I saw her. A great woman of faith and she leaves a legacy of grace in action.
Rev. Dr. Phillip Bernhardt-House '00
Throughout my time at GU, working on my M.A. in Religious Studies, Sr. Laura was a constant friendly face and gracious presence. My own involvements brought me to the Campus Ministry office many times for many reasons, and being that I'm both a non-Christian and a queer person, there is a legacy of uncertainty and even distrust that can exist due to these matters of human diversity. However, with Sr. Laura, there was never any question of such mistreatment or negative reaction, and in fact she was the embodiment of hospitality, courtesy, and the warm embrace of love that is the ideal of the faith tradition she upheld so admirably throughout her life. She was a great one for gentle humor, and I cannot recall her face without remembering her smile. She is missed in physical presence, but she is certainly not gone, and never will be! May all who remember her be blessed with the love she so exemplified for all people!
Jeff Colliton '62
Sister Laura (Janice Michels) and I were classmates in grade school . St Xavier's in Spokane. We have remained friends for all of these years. I will remember and miss her.
Christopher Blackburn '93
May your memory be eternal. I'll keep her spirited memories with me. Thanks for letting people know she passed.
Carrie Dugan
Sr. Laura took my sister under her wing when she worked in Campus Ministry at Gonzaga in 1989. She was my third-grade teacher and a dear friend all of these years. Thank you for the blessing you were in my life Sr. Laura and in so many others.
Jim Infantine
Sr. Laura's smile and her gift of friendship not only lit up our visits to GU's campus but enlivened our attendance at San Diego baseball games when the Zags came to town to face USD. Her kindness and enthusiasm were infectious. She was a wonderful reflection of the caring spirit that is Gonzaga. -Jim & Patty Infantine, San Diego
Megan and Joe Poss '97
That smile, her HUGS and beautiful spirit will be with our family forever. We love you, Sister Laura! “Our faith advances”....indeed....thank you for the reminder. PS - You were the coolest nun - ever.....forget the habit.... bring on the statement shoes!!!
Mischa and Howard Leendertsen
Sr Laura was also beloved by her students at Sacred Heart School, Bellevue WA. RIP
Nicole Dyer Foncello '97
I am so sorry to hear of this news. Sister Laura used to come to our house for dinner our senior year. I also remember just being involved in campus ministry and she was always there for us. She will be missed!
Sierra Lawrence '95
Whenever I remember Gonzaga, I think of Sr. Laura. She was instrumental in my journey to the Catholic Church. Her warmth and love were contagious. May she Rest in Peace.
Travis Forbes '13
Sister Laura was the chaplain of our baseball team. Her ear to ear smile, poems before our road trips, and endless love and support are something I will always cherish. Heaven has truly gained an angel. Forever in our hearts sister Laura!
Hannah Bowen '13
I interviewed Sr. Laura for a religion class and she made a great impression on me. She was always smiling and will be greatly missed. Interview can be found here: view interview.
Amanda Hardt '17
I met Sr. Laura my freshmen year at Gonzaga when she came into my residence hall to talk to all of my hall mates. She was so kind and sweet and filled the room with joy. I remember talking to her after our prayer meeting as a res hall about baseball and she never forgot my face after that. Over the next four years she continued to greet me with a warm smile and hug. I can honestly say if I was having a bad day and somehow ran into Sr. Laura my entire week would take a turn for the positive. Additionally I had a friend at Gonzaga who unfortunately never seemed to really catch a break, but out of all of the inconsistencies in this friends life, the one thing that was always constant was the love she received and mentor ship she had from Sr. Laura. While the impact Sr. Laura had on my life was great, I know for a fact that she changed my friend’s life, which is a true testament to the beauty and grace of Sr. Laura’s entire being. She will forever live on in the hearts of Zags everywhere.
Margaret Keys '93
I remember her wonderful red cowboy boots. She was always so joyful and kind-hearted and her wonderful caring for all of the Gonzaga community.