Obituary of Laura Woodberry Jessiman

Laura Woodberry Jessiman passed away last Wednesday near Durness, Scotland after a hiking accident while vacationing with family members near their second home in Scourie. She was 51 years old. She is survived by her husband Alistair, sons Hugh (25) and Andrew (23) and daughter Margaret (19). She was born Laura Lee Woodberry on August 17, 1957 in New York City, She was the eldest child of Paul and Sandy Woodberry of Dallas, Texas and Sea Island, GA. She is survived by her parents and four siblings: Seth Woodberry of Dallas, TX, Sturgis Woodberry of Darien, CT, Lesley Woodberry Robinson of Mumbai, India and Sarah Woodberry of New York City. She was the loving aunt of 18 nieces and nephews on both sides of the family. She grew up in Greenwich and attended Greenwich Academy before graduating from the Madeira School in Virginia. She spent a post-graduate year at the Uppingham School in Rutland, England where she was elected Head Girl. At Dartmouth College, in Hanover, NH, she captained the women's crew team, wrote for the student newspaper, and graduated in 1980 with the highest distinction in Asian Studies. She met her husband Alistair at Dartmouth. The couple married on Nantucket Island in May, 1981, and recently celebrated 28 years of marriage. After college, Laura worked as an associate banker at Manufacturer's Hanover Trust in New York City, where the Jessimans had their first son, Hugh. They moved to Hong Kong for four years in the 1980s, where their second son Andrew was born. Their daughter Margaret was born in 1990, shortly after they moved to Darien, CT. Son Hugh graduated from Brunswick in 2002 and is now a professional hockey player. He was an Ivy League Rookie of the Year while at Dartmouth, and was drafted in the first round by the N.Y. Rangers. He currently plays for the Nashville Predators organization. Son Andrew graduated from Wake Forest University in 2008, and works as a marketing associate at Priceline in Norwalk, CT. Daughter Margaret just completed her freshman year at Dartmouth, where she competes on the figure skating team. Laura's greatest joy was her family. She was a fixture on the sidelines of her children's sporting events, she was a class mother at Greenwich Academy, and she recently took up golf so she could play with her children. She had a passion for cooking and gardening, making those favorite family activities. She loved to visit new places and enthusiastically planned trips with her extended family. She recently returned from a trip to Rome with her parents and sisters, having accompanied them to France and Russia in past years. She also recently traveled with her husband and children to South America, Tuscany and Prague. Laura enjoyed hill-walking, bicycling and spending time with her friends and family. She also played the piano, studied French and Spanish and volunteered at The Waterside School in Stamford, CT. She loved music and attended the ballet and the symphony regularly. Laura was a remarkable wife, mother, daughter, sister, cousin, friend and always a mentor. To so many, she served as the person to whom everyone asked "What would Laura think?" She had a gift for friendship and will be missed dearly. A private funeral Mass was held on Tuesday, June 30, conducted by family friend the Reverend Gerry Murray. A memorial reception for Laura's friends and family was held that Tuesday afternoon at the Country Club of Darien. On Wednesday, July 1, her son Hugh participated in a benefit for the Obie Harrington-Howes Foundation held at the Darien Ice Rink at 7 p.m. The attendees observed a moment of silence in Laura's honor. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to The Waterside School, 535 Fairfield Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902. MEMORIAL MASS FOR Laura Woodberry Jessiman Tuesday, June 30, 2009 11 a.m. St. Thomas More Darien, Connecticut Celebrants: The Reverend Gerald Murray The Reverend Michael Jones The Reverend J. Barry Furey Organist: Galen Tate Cantor: Anna Maria D'Ambrosio Prelude: Selections by Margaret Jessiman with Anita Currin Entrance Hymn: No. 442 Amazing Grace Opening Prayer First Reading: Wisdom 3: 1-9 The souls of the just are in the hand of God. Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd There is nothing I shall want Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:14-5:1 For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Gospel: John 17: 24-26 Homily: The Reverend Gerald Murray Prayers of the Faithful Offertory Hymn: The Holy City / And Did Those Feet in Ancient Time The Eucharistic Prayer Communion Communion Solo: Panis Angelicus, Franck Vocalise, Rachmaninoff Communion Meditation Commendation Prayer: In Paradisum Closing Prayer Final Blessing Recessional: No. 548 All Creatures of Our God and King Postlude: In Tears of Grief, J.S. Bach And Did Those Feet In Ancient Time And did those feet in ancient time Walk upon England's mountains green? And was the holy Lamb of God On England's pleasant pastures seen? And did the Countenance Divine Shine forth upon our clouded hills? And was Jerusalem builded here Among those dark satanic mills? Bring me my bow of burning gold! Bring me my arrows of desire! Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold! Bring me my chariot of fire! I will not cease from mental fight, Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand, Till we have built Jerusalem In England's green and pleasant land. --William Blake Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820