She seemed to be on a journey...sampling all of her interests in a search for her [role in life].

Exploring Montana

Lauren was different. She never stopped exploring, she was always planning or participating in something.

She consistently searched for ways to immerse herself in nature and explore the world around her.

And she was such an independent thinker, digging up all sorts of off-campus experiences that I, as department chairman for some of those years, was thrilled to approve.

I so admired her drive to find her own path and never conform to traditional expectations... I know she was intensely brave and dynamic inside.

[It] made me realize how courageous, motivated and directed she was.

She had such [an adventurous] spirit.

She was always up for new adventures.

This amazing need for adventure and a determination to follow her love for the outdoors and geology.

Geology and wilderness spread all around

A person who truly enjoys and appreciates special places like these which she sought out all over. Up near the sky, geology and wilderness spread all around, with views far into the distance.

Indeed, Lauren had much talent to bring to [the study of] nature, the outdoors, and the sciences, and she gave herself fully to them.

Lauren loved the great out of doors.

[I remembered] her passion to go West, to see new places and landscapes.

Burning desire to understand the architecture of the beautiful world we live in.

[I was impressed with] her dedication to the environment.

She loved the water. We just sat around and talked...a lot about scuba diving and coral reefs.

We took in a planetarium show. Only Lauren knew how to identify all of the planets, stars, and constellations.

...Working with young people to encourage their respect and love of nature. We are very proud of that contribution.

She added so much...with her kind heart and love of sharing the wonders of nature with the children.

Her dedication to her teaching and to pursuing her passions really inspired me.

I only wish I could attain the love and spontaneity she had for teaching.

She had a great technique of getting kids to look at things with more care without them realizing what she was doing.

Lauren emanated a sort of luminous spark that made learning with her infectious.

She has an exceptional range of goofy games, charades and more involved educational activities that she can use when needed.

I was impressed with how much Lauren cared about the safety of the kids.

She enjoyed the kids

She was great with kids, too. It was clear that she loved her work.

Her campers adored her, and I was able to learn a lot about her caring ways.

She was at home with herself and satisfied and excited about all the work she was doing with children.

The children she taught science to were lucky to have such an enthusiastic and sympathetic teacher.

She seemed to enjoy the kids and was very patient.

She especially looked after the children who were least likely to be liked by others and I especially admired her patience in meeting their needs.

I...frequently found myself taking mental notes on her patient nature and fun loving attitude.

Though she often seemed shy and reserved, she just never felt the need to overshadow others with her energy and achievements.

Lauren was always perfectly modest and unassuming, and yet she was never timid or hesitant.

Lauren got joy out of the simple things in life like: cats, blueberries, walks in the woods, an opportunity to explain a rock formation to a curious mind.

She was unique but modestly so. She never cried out for attention but was a quiet, smiling presence with that internal sense of mischief and passion.

I was definitely impressed with her hard work toward getting science experience.

I admired her enthusiasm and commitment to doing something she felt was important.

Lauren threw herself into life... and her enthusiasm was contagious.

Her attitude and flare for life were so incredibly contagious.

Her beaming smile beaconed an inner energy that was contagious.

I remember her as someone who was always smiling, always happy-even when others were stressed out. Her smile was contagious.

"She always had a smile on her face"

You knew she would always be there for you, with that great smile and some amazing insight that you were too upset or anxious to realize yourself.

She always had a smile on her face and kind words to say...sincerely interested in what other people were doing.

She always had a smile on her face, always wanting to catch up and see how things were going.

Each memory of Lauren...contains a picture of her relaxed, engaged and smiling.

A person who was so easy-going, relaxed and comfortable to be around that you never questioned [her].

Her calm and levelheadedness provided an ideal balance for the rest of us.

Lauren has this special way of making you center yourself, to think for a moment about what is important. It is somehow her nature to emanate peace and calm, and to always make room to care. ...It is truly unique to Lauren.

We missed her pleasant, calming demeanor...even before we heard the news.

She was so easy to be with...her quiet demeanor, ready smile, and always a twinkle in her eye.

Lauren's laid back demeanor always had a calming effect for me during the stressful times at school.

I think she touched us all quietly in the midst of our sometimes frantic stress.

Lauren [was] responsible in large part for lightening and brightening the atmosphere in the otherwise menacing conditions of seniors stressing over their theses...

Her gentle spirit and quiet but always joy-filled smile remain in my mind today.

Lauren was one of the most sincere, gentle, compassionate people I've ever known.

What a remarkable capacity for compassion she had.

I know that I was lucky to have her hugs and advice.

Lauren was the warm, fuzzy person.

I can honestly say that she was the sweetest person I have ever met. She was the only person...that everybody-and I mean everybody-liked.

She was always with a group of friends, and looked cheerful and happy.

Professorial rock formations "discovered" by Lauren and Sam

Eyes twinkling, she was always cooking up some kind of good-natured mischief-anything to bring smiles.

I think it was that dash of mischief beneath the surface that made Lauren Lauren.

In each case, she's always there; calm, centered, and smiling with that ever-so-slight bit of mischief on the corner of her mouth.

We will always remember her warm humor, her enthusiasm for adventure, her dedication to work, and her unwavering friendship.

A good friend and wonderful correspondent.

Lauren has been a wonderful correspondent, sending countless smiles and words of encouragement my way.

Lauren (lower right) with friends Jessica, Elizabeth and Karin

She provided me with a friendship when I was really in need of one and I shall always be grateful to her for that.

She was truly a wonderful person and a great friend.

Being her friend [is] a privilege that I'll always cherish.

I loved Lauren so much and she was one of the best friends I ever had.

A genuine, good-natured, compassionate friend.

Loyalty and thoughtfulness...were at the core of Lauren's friendships. She never forgot a birthday or special event in my life.

The incredible kindness, generosity, and thoughtfulness that she brought to her friends and acquaintances. She was always one to send a valentine, remember your birthday, or just send a funny note to brighten up an ordinary day. She was the kind of solid, devoted friend that everyone needs and few people are lucky enough to have. I was lucky.

An example of a true friend and model of kindness and loyalty for all of us.

Lauren was wielding one of her instruments of kindness: chocolate chip cookies.

Her gestures were always small, but often and genuine. No wonder she made friends every place she went.

I was delighted to receive a happy birthday email from Lauren. She was the only person who remembered. She always did little things like this that showed that you mattered to her.

Lauren always did a bit more than everyone else, whether it was remembering a birthday, or creating portraits out of rocks.

Such generosity of spirit...is still here with us, quietly inspiring us to follow our passions and dreams.

She will always be part of who I am.

Lauren was a unique individual with a remarkable character and she will always hold a special place in my memory and in my heart.

I loved...Lauren. She was very special to me.

Because of her kindness, I will always do the same for others.

My life has been enriched by our friendship-not just by the earnest caring and joy that she so freely gave, but by the very qualities she embodied, the way she lived each day. I learned a lot from Lauren about what is real and good and true.

She truly enriched us all.

She touched the lives of so many children and adults alike.

Lauren still had so much to give to her students, colleagues, friends and family, as well as to the admirable scientific and environmental causes she espoused.

It is truly a loss to...all her friends and to society.

The world needs more people like her.