Laura Mathias

Laura Lake Mathias, surrounded by her loving family, returned to her Savior on Wednesday, December 26, 2018, after a heroic year-long battle with complete paralysis of both legs.

Born Laura Jane Lake on October 23, 1936 to John Marshall and Dr. Serena Jane Lake in Baltimore, Maryland, she grew up in Washington, D.C. and College Park, Maryland. With her sister Elin (Dr. Elin Lake-Ewald), Laura attended Holy Cross Academy where she developed her lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ.  She was an active member of St. James Catholic Church in Boonsboro, Maryland.

An alumnus of the Northwestern High School class of ’53, Laura formed life-friends with her fellow “Wildcats.”  Her ability to develop life-friends began at her 5th birthday party with her most cherished friend Bev (Beverly Brown Bailey), Laura’s best friend for over 60 years, whom she lost after Bev’s more than 30 year battle with cancer; Bev’s family still remains close with Laura’s family today.

As a single mother of two children, John Guy (Mary Jo) Johnson and Laura Lydia (Sam) Phillips, Laura owned and managed the College Park School of Music and Academic Tutoring.

In 1968 Laura joined the District of Columbia Government and on November 18, 1979 she moved to the United States Department of Labor as a Classification Specialist. Her retirement after 31 years of service on November 16, 1999 was acknowledged by the then Secretary of Labor, Alexis M. Herman. Her retirement was in name only as Laura continued her work as a government contractor for the United States Department of Labor.

Laura had a passion for real-estate, first partnering with Carlton Brooks of Orange County, Virginia in the development of farmland and subsequently became an agent with the Roger Fairborn Real Estate Company of Hagerstown, Maryland.

Her real estate interests included partnering with her sister Elin in expanding their family investment properties in Ocean City Maryland and Washington County, Maryland.  One of Laura’s most proud real estate accomplishments was the restoration of the Dolfield-Lake family farm in Boonsboro, Maryland; first with her late husband Eddie (Edgar Lee Mathias) and finishing the project with Eddie’s best friend Bill Atwell. At ‘The Farm’ she hosted many large gatherings of family and friends.

While leading an active and productive life Laura was struck by paralysis in October of 2017 caused by an inoperable blood mass within her lower spine.  Although wheelchair bound, she spent an active final year at Seasons of Santaquin in Santaquin, Utah.  There she was near her son’s family where she could watch her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow and continue her abiding devotion to her faith.

Laura is preceded in death by her father, mother and husband Eddie. She is survived by her sister, her two children and their spouses, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren with a forth great grandchild expected in coming weeks. She was tested in life but ended it in triumph over adversity and undiminished belief in her Savior.

Her friends all knew her as “the Sweetest Girl in the World”.  Although Laura Jane will be greatly missed by all of us, she has rejoined her heavenly family and will greet us warmly when we meet again.

A viewing will be held on Friday, January 4, 2019 from 6-8 pm at the Bast-Stauffer Funeral Home, 7606 Old National Pike, Boonsboro, MD 21713.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 11 am at the St. James Catholic Church, 121 North Main Street, Boonsboro, MD 21713, with Father John officiating,  a reception to follow.  Graveside Service will be on Sunday, January 6 , 2019 at 1 pm at the Fort Lincoln Cemetery, 3401 Bladensburg Rd., Brentwood, MD 20722.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to St. James Renovation Foundation 121 North Main Street., Boonsboro, MD 21713.