by Mike and Liz Conroy
Mike, Liz, and Laura Conroy visiting the Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires in September of 2014. Photo by Liz Conroy.
Our 25-year-old daughter, Laura Conroy, passed away in the early hours of Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016. Laura loved all aspects of life, especially birds and other wildlife.
She spent the first seven years of her life on Bear Creek before our family had to move due to the reservoir construction.
Laura Conroy, age 5. on the shore of Lake Huron in Lexington, Michigan in the fall off 1996. Photo by Mike Conroy.
One day, I found little Laura in the basement with her nose pressed against the window that looked out over the creek. I asked what was she doing, and she softly replied, “I’m okay—I am with my friend.” Just outside, a Great Blue Heron was standing still and gazing back at her.
She fiercely protected reptiles from being hurt or killed. As a UGA student, she discovered black rat snakes in the basement of her rental house on Boulevard. The landlord wanted to kill them, but she barred his path and insisted that Animal Control be called to take them safely away.
She always cherished children, trees, rivers, and animals, throughout her young life.
We miss her with all of our hearts. We feel that it is in nature, protecting land and waterways, and in connecting with others that we will find peace.
Laura Conroy's graduation at UGA in December of 2015. Photo by Mike Conroy.