Laura was an absolutely fantastic person, not only did she have all the qualities that make an amazing person and a great friend, but she had tha ability to project those qualities onto others. When I first started as a mod here just about a year ago now, she gave me the confidence and reassurance I needed at the time.

Since then she has given me advice and guidance on all sorts of matters both proffesional and personal. She was someone who always had time for everyone, and if she wasn't available there and then she would make time to chat no matter what it was about.

I owe a lot in my life at the moment to Laura, and the most upsetting thing about it is, I never got to tell her exactly where her advice has gotten me these days. Her passing will leave a large gap in this community, as well as many others, and im sure a lot of people feel there is a small part of themsevles missing at this point.

RIP Laura, a fantastic friend, a brilliant CM and an awesome person.

I wish I would have had the privilage to have known her.

Christopher Cross - "Think of Laura"

Video at end of Lyrics

I thought this was very fitting

Every once in a while I'd see her smile
And she'd turn my day around
A girl with those eyes
Could stare through the lies
And see what your heart was saying

Think of Laura but laugh don't cry
I know she'd want it that way
When you think of Laura laugh don't cry
I know she'd want it that way


A friend of a friend
A friend to the end
That's the kind of girl she was
Taken away so young
Taken away without a warning


I know you and you're here
In every day we live
I know her and she's here
I can feel her when I sing


Hey Laura, where are you now
Are you far away from here
I don't think so
I think you're here
Taking our tears away

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYEWeBarLww

/pray that there are MMORPG in the afterlife. Bless her soul, and condolences to everyone effected, I did not know her, but such a tragic loss is sad regardless of the ties/lack of ties held with an individual. Game in peace!

From all of us at GameSHOUT, we send Laura's family our condolences, and our prayers are sent heavenward on your behalf. 

Laura was a valued part of the gaming industry and a lovely person and she will be greatly missed.  We hope you realize from this outpouring of love here just how loved she really was and take comfort in knowing that your precious one touched the lives of so many in such a positive way.  Thank you for sharing her with us. 

Sincerely,
-Mav
Capt. Maverick
Program Director, GameSHOUT Radio

I just wanted to say I had the pleasure to talk to her quite a bit when I was banned a few months back, and even when I was pissed and very upset over the whole situation, she managed to make me smile.

God bless,

Originally posted by omegaflare

How did she died? Had health complications? No offense, but it just bothers me.

Yes, I too would like to know what happened to Laura. Many of us older folks have had friends who have died in accidents, of illnesses and even, saddest of all, taken their own lives. I - and others on this board - do not ask out of any morbid curiousity but, rather, because it completes our picture of her life.

I did not know her that well but whenever I received one of those week-long bans for lobbying perhaps a bit too vociferously for the pre-CU SWG, I would appeal directly to her and she would take the time to read over the offending post. If she thought it was more in fun than in anger, she would lift the ban.

My sympathies to her family and all of her friends

Godspeed Laura, and prayers for you, your family, and your friends.  Far too young...

My personal best wishes to the family and friends of Laura, you will be missed by all.

All of us old member remember when she came. It was pretty rocky, things changed, rules etc. I mean we didn't like them, but it's not like we didn't like her. I've had many talks with Laura and she was a really down-to-earth lady. You learn that when it's the job and the person, it's two diffrent sides. You do your job and you can be so much more of a loving person inside.  She was a great person and I really shead a tear the day I found out. I mean, this may be a forums, but a lot of us are like a family. I care much about the members that I like as much as the members that I don't agree with, becuase death is not the answer to anything and most importanly it wasn't her time to go.

I would like to tell her family that, her leaving this world is a big tragety to all of us, including me. I don't think I can remember having such a hard momment from all the years on mmorpg.com. We will never, ever forget this. Laura and her family will always be in my prayers. God bless.

Always sad to see someone so young pass away.  Sincere condolence to her family and friends.

This is very tragic. My condolences to her friends and family for their loss.

Condolences and prayers to her family and friends

Loved her interviews and enthusiasm for all things game related.  Incredibly sad to see that she is gone.

Athela

Rest in peace Laura. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends.

I sometimes think of this poem when I mourn my dead parents.

"Remember me when I am gone away.
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand.
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you planned:
Only remember me: you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had.
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than you should remember and be sad."
~ Christina Rossetti

The Second Day Vet

I was lucky enough to meet Laura once at GDC in February of this year.  Her passion, craziness, and her ability to switch between serious conversations and insane ones at the drop of a hat made me love her.

Her dedication to the MMO world, and this community were unrivaled, and I will truly miss her.

My condolences to her family and friends.

T

Originally posted by hubertgrove

Originally posted by omegaflare

How did she died? Had health complications? No offense, but it just bothers me.

 

Yes, I too would like to know what happened to Laura. Many of us older folks have had friends who have died in accidents, of illnesses and even, saddest of all, taken their own lives. I - and others on this board - do not ask out of any morbid curiousity but, rather, because it completes our picture of her life.

I did not know her that well but whenever I received one of those week-long bans for lobbying perhaps a bit too vociferously for the pre-CU SWG, I would appeal directly to her and she would take the time to read over the offending post. If she thought it was more in fun than in anger, she would lift the ban.

I really doubt they'll release that information, but it would be nice to know how someone so beautiful and young can die so quickly at such a young age. She was barely older than I am...

first of all i'd like to thank everyone who has taken the time to reply beforehand, i know you don't likely feel that you need to be thanked especially from a person whom you've never spoken to before(at least 99% of you). I know how much it means to laura to have all of you car so much about her. for those of you who have asked about her passing; i can offer you no answers as i had not spoken to laura in the past two or three months; that's just how things were between us there was never any conflict or problem just life being life. I can however tell the one of you who dared to say it outloud that the thought had even crossed your mind this could have been self-inflicted; that it was not...I understand all to well the path that can lead to such decisions and nobody was further from that way than laura. It's hard for me to be writing this now and i still am stuck on the idea; words aren't forming as they should be...laura was very dear to me and i've taken the time to read all of the replies left so far and they are great, the memorial is wonderful. It saddens me to know that i am so far removed from my own life that i did not hear word of this sooner.

If it were not for laura for many reasons i would not be here writing this or have much of the life i have now. The experiences afforded to me because of laura have been numerous and i have no doubt in my heart when i say i loved her very much, laura and i attended high-school together and she was one of my closest friends for many years. I would not be a gamer if it weren't for laura first introducing me to the world of text-based rp on IRC in 8th grade, she fabricated fantastical stories and lively bots for me and many others who would wander in to chat and have fun. She always made everyone who knew her smile. She was sweet and sincere, and strong and  apt, viscous even when necessary. She introduced me to mmorpgs in the form of lineage, and recommended me to the panel at IMGS and brought me with her in her travels until about two years ago, when inspired by her i began seeking my bachelors in computer science, because of laura and all she has done for me and for the community on the whole i am a software developer, we almost never talked shop it was all llamas and laughter, glossed over the idea of her new job when i spoke to her on the phone last about two or three months ago(never can tell from the depths of my darkened cave)....she was angry over her broken suitcase, the handle had become defunct and she stubbornly tried to fix it while i was talking to her, she always knew how to break the tension; i had forgotten literally till just now forgotten just what a bad mood i was in until i spoke to her. nobody could ever dislike her if they gave her even a minutes worth of time to get to know her.

these are the things i could manage to say that i don't think i ever got to tell you while you were here with me in person, but now i know that forever more:

there will always be a special place in my heart, mind and soul for you Laura "llama" Genender

sincerely,

vice vice vice vice vice vice vice vice vice perverted llama

CP "kitty-chan" Wilkinson

The gaming community has truly suffered a loss with her passing. RIP Laura

My  condolences.

She will be missed.

Very tragic, she was such a young women.  The best thing one can do is take this as a reminder of just how precious life is and to not waste it. 

RIP Laura

This site and these forums have been very good to me through the years, I never post but as a fulltime gamer it is a useful resource - and I found several games (among them, EVE) through this site. I read some of her work here, and was enthralled to see her move on to CCP, having EVE as my favourite MMO and loved Lauras work with the community.

Her life ended way too early. Tragic loss for her family and friends, and the online gaming community.

I gotta say, if Laura were here, she'd be awed that the only threads on this forum to have no trolling, flaming, back biting, or derogatory remarks are the ones in tribute to her. That says alot for her in regards to these forums, I think.