Very sad news: Laurie Verge has passed

[RJNorton]

Many thanks to Bob Cook for sending:

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I visited our recently-departed and much-lamented Good Friend Laurie Verge's grave site the other day - approximately seven miles north-northwest of here.

https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2292...y-cemetery

and

https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2292...etery/map- Map & Satellite View

Although I have not, as yet, personally verified it with Laurie's daughter Jennifer that it was Laurie's specific instruction to be buried where she is - I assume Laurie did because it would otherwise seem to me to be just way too much of a coincidence that the (Mays - Laurie's maiden name) plot within the burial ground where she is now at rest is adjacent to the (generally-accepted - but now paved, of course) Mattawoman-Beantown Road section of the JWB escape route just south of the (historic sign-markered) location where John Wilkes Booth and David Edgar Herold crossed over from southern Prince George's County into northern Charles County, Maryland on the night of April 14/15, 1865 on their way to the home of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd.

Despite the Huntt Family Cemetery's location being in very close proximity to several outdoor commercial strip mall businesses, the cemetery is on a hill-rise within a self-contained, rural-looking, approximately one-acre site. Although its location (behind Pinefield Liquor and Lefty's Barbecue in the Pinefield South Shopping Center at the intersection of Crain Highway/Route 301 and Mattawoman Drive) would make it very convenient for present and future Lincoln assassination researchers (on the JWB escape route roads) to stop off at her grave site to pay their respects to this supremely generous and truly encyclopedic) JWB and Lincoln assassination expert, the cemetery's being surrounded by a 6-foot-high, padlocked and chain-secured chain link fence makes it impossible to visit Laurie's gravesite close-up.

However the location does permit Laurie to now enjoy being perpetually along the John Wilkes Booth Escape Route - a situation that, for perhaps some or others of us, might also be a consummation devoutly to be wished.

Robert W. (Bob) Cook

[Anita]

Bob, thank you so much for sharing the link to Laurie's resting place and for your description of how befitting the site is for our Laurie. Now she belongs to the history she so loved.

[RJNorton]

(03-26-2020 07:54 PM)Anita Wrote:  Bob, thank you so much for sharing the link to Laurie's resting place and for your description of how befitting the site is for our Laurie. Now she belongs to the history she so loved.

I second what Anita said.

[JillMnHFWV]

I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of Laurie. I have no words to express the depth of my appreciation for her knowledge and willingness to help an independent researcher. She could also be a very persuasive individual--succeeding in persuading me to become a docent at the Surratt House after learning of what little knowledge I then had in the Lincoln assassination and my continued interest in it. Unfortunately, the combination of distance and family responsibilities caused me to discontinue being a docent, but Laurie and I kept in touch throughout the years. I was always surprised that she remembered my particular interests relating to the assassination and Southern Maryland history. She will be greatly missed.

[Tibackme]

My sympathies are with everyone on the loss of an obviously cherished lady. While perusing the site as a guest, I read many of Laurie's postings. It was to my deep chagrin to eventually come across this sad news of her passing. Although I'd never had the pleasure of knowing her, her posts were viewed by me, to have come from a person with keen interest in her field, who was willing to share and help others. Her postings painted a vivid picture of her, even for those who knew her not. The beautiful image came through clearly that she had to have been extremely compassionate and kind. Peace be to Laurie, and to everyone who knew and loved her. May your fond memories of her lead to healing. What an honor it must have been to have known her.

[wpbinzel]

(04-23-2020 02:13 PM)Tibackme Wrote:  My sympathies are with everyone on the loss of an obviously cherished lady. While perusing the site as a guest, I read many of Laurie's postings. It was to my deep chagrin to eventually come across this sad news of her passing. Although I'd never had the pleasure of knowing her, her posts were viewed by me, to have come from a person with keen interest in her field, who was willing to share and help others. Her postings painted a vivid picture of her, even for those who knew her not. The beautiful image came through clearly that she had to have been extremely compassionate and kind. Peace be to Laurie, and to everyone who knew and loved her. May your fond memories of her lead to healing. What an honor it must have been to have known her.

What a wonderful tribute! For one who never met Laurie, you describe her very well. And, yes, it was quite an honor to have known her. Thanks to Roger Norton and this Forum, Laurie's wisdom and wit will live on in more than 9,000 posts for those who come along.

[RJNorton]

Thank you to Rick Smith for sending this image. Rick writes, "Attached is a photo of our friend's resting place. Her stone is not yet inscribed."

[Rick Smith]

Roger,

The weather was beautiful this afternoon when I stopped by the Huntt family cemetery. Quite a contrast to the day of Laurie's funeral; overcast, windy and cold. I was honored that day to be a pallbearer and provide one last service for our friend.

After the graveside service, Bill Binzel, his wife, Lisa and I had lunch together and drank a toast to Laurie. It is hard to believe that she left us just over two months ago.

She is very much missed.

Rick

[RJNorton]

Thank you to Laurie's daughter, Jennifer Morphew, for sending these photos. Her mother's stone has just been laid. Laurie's favorite flowers were carnations, and that is what Jen has placed there.

[Eva Elisabeth]

Thank you for sharing, Roger - Laurie would have loved those flowers!

[My Name Is Kate]

With all the statue-toppling, looting, rioting, burning, and general anarchy of apoplectic proportions, we may be thankful that Laurie was spared all that.

[LincolnMan]

Wow that is beautiful.

[ReignetteC]

Beautiful!

[J. Beckert]

(07-08-2020 06:06 PM)My Name Is Kate Wrote:  With all the statue-toppling, looting, rioting, burning, and general anarchy of apoplectic proportions, we may be thankful that Laurie was spared all that.

Very true, Kate. Laurie would have been appalled.