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Laura Marie (Ross) Briggs
March 27, 1966 – January 7, 2024

Born to Julian and Patricia Ross in Baltimore, MD, the eldest of three siblings, Laura knew from an early age that her passion was for teaching. From a small chalkboard in the basement of her childhood home, or the wooden clubhouse in the backyard serving as a classroom, Laura was a natural educator and instructor. One of her first reluctant pupils was her sister, Karen. Later she tried to instruct her younger brother, Gordon, who was not too interested in receiving supplemental instruction.

Laura attended Towson University after graduating Kenwood High School and earned her bachelor's degree. She worked in the Maryland public school system at first and over time made her way to Virginia. In 1992 she married James (Jim) Briggs; interestingly, they were introduced by Laura's college roommate, Susan Cooper, who was Jim's colleague at MCI. Later in her career, she obtained a master's degree and specialized in STEM.

She was a technology resource teacher who instructed teachers on how to use digital learning when this specialty was just being introduced into some classrooms. Laura spent 28 years teaching at several elementary schools in Loudoun County, including Balls Bluff, Tolbert and Cedar Lane. Although she did not want to officially retire from teaching, her medical and mobility issues eventually became too challenging. Using her digital expertise, she was able to transition to part time web-based consulting work after retiring and pursued other web-based marketing and sales endeavors.

Like most teachers, Laura had a kind and generous heart. From buying underwear and socks for needy children in her classes, to offering sales and special pricing on her web-based business products, Laura has always been a giver. She also enjoyed visiting gardens, photographing flowers and animals, as did her husband Jim.

Laura was preceded in death by her mother, Patricia Ross, and father, Julian Ross. She is survived by her sister, Karen Taylor, her husband Greg Taylor; her brother, Gordon Ross, and his wife Laura Ross and nephew Matthew Ross. A memorial service to celebrate the lives of Jim and Laura will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at the Colonial Funeral Home in Leesburg, VA, the gathering will begin at 11:00 am and the service will begin at noon; friends and family are invited to remember and honor them. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Briggs Animal Adoption Center in Charles Town, WV or to the American Diabetes Association.