Laura C. Hudson, 64, died Sunday, May 11, 2014 at the Halquist Memorial Inpatient Center in Arlington, VA. Born October 19, 1949, she grew up in New Orleans, LA. She received a bachelor's degree from Mary Washington University, a master's degree from the University of Virginia, and a law degree from Georgetown University. She spent 23 years as staff of the United States Senate rising to the senior position of legislative director for Louisiana Senator J. Bennett Johnston. In 1996 she joined the Washington office of Unocal where her primary focus was international government relations. She continued that role when Chevron Corporation acquired Unocal in 2005 until she retired in April, 2014. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=171059448#sthash.38ulupWK.dpuf
Laura was a good buddy of mine at McMain and Franklin. She was smart but unassuming, and a genuinely nice person. I lost track of her after graduation and only learned from her obituaries what a distinguished career she had in Washington. A couple of years ago I played a jazz concert at the Laura C. Hudson Visitor Center in the French Quarter, and had a big lump in my throat the whole time.
Laura and I met in homeroom at Franklin and were close friends until she passed away. We travelled all over Europe together when we were Junior Year Abroad in the UK in 1969-70, and became close friends even though we were very different in personalities and career aspirations. Laura lived for politics and loved life on Capitol Hill during her years as legislative assisstant to a Louisiana senator. But she was also a caring, thoughtful friend, and a loving godmother to my first child. She was a fighter to the end, but met her match in the cancer that finally over powered her.
Laura and I met through our parents in the fifth grade. Our fathers worked together at Southern Bell. Laura's family had newly transferred to New Orleans. We both played the violin at our schools. Have memories of us in our black skirts and white blouses for concerts. We became great friends during our McMain years. Weekends at Valencia, sleepovers, shopping, Tulane home games, parties, and carpooling cemented our friendship. Our circle included Jane Hamilton and Maryann Sylvester. Then we chose Franklin over Fortier while other friends went to Fortier. Jane went to McGhee. Franklin was an exciting new focus. New friends included Joan Jackson, Patsy Church, Martha McQuitty, Betty Bird, and many others. Valencia continued to be a place to meet up, enjoy live music, and take off for unplanned fun. Laura hosted luncheons at home and was game to explore restaurants. She talked about things that mattered and had ambition. College years were a dividing time. Laura was able to attend my mother's school, Mary Washington in VA. It seemed that all friends went off to adventurous, challenging schools. LSU-Baton Rouge was where I could go. We kept up over holidays and summers. Then Laura launched a thrilling new career in Washington, DC. Joan, Patsy, and I married and started families. I was always so very proud of Laura's accomplishments and the life she built. Her annual, handwritten Christmas cards were travel logs. Loved getting them. Even saw her a couple of times in Washington. She looked great and was very gracious. I was so impressed with her handsome townhouse and interesting lifestyle. Our contact lessened through the years. News of her illness came. Her older sister took her calls. Laura was so very sick. Later, Laura's obituary laid out an incredible life of service. Did not surprise me at all. She was a most remarkable person.
May Kay (Wong)
Laura C. Hudson, 64, died Sunday, May 11, 2014 at the Halquist Memorial Inpatient Center in Arlington, VA. Born October 19, 1949, she grew up in New Orleans, LA. She received a bachelor's degree from Mary Washington University, a master's degree from the University of Virginia, and a law degree from Georgetown University. She spent 23 years as staff of the United States Senate rising to the senior position of legislative director for Louisiana Senator J. Bennett Johnston. In 1996 she joined the Washington office of Unocal where her primary focus was international government relations. She continued that role when Chevron Corporation acquired Unocal in 2005 until she retired in April, 2014. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=171059448#sthash.38ulupWK.dpuf
Thomas Sancton
Laura was a good buddy of mine at McMain and Franklin. She was smart but unassuming, and a genuinely nice person. I lost track of her after graduation and only learned from her obituaries what a distinguished career she had in Washington. A couple of years ago I played a jazz concert at the Laura C. Hudson Visitor Center in the French Quarter, and had a big lump in my throat the whole time.
Joan Jackson (Folse)
Laura and I met in homeroom at Franklin and were close friends until she passed away. We travelled all over Europe together when we were Junior Year Abroad in the UK in 1969-70, and became close friends even though we were very different in personalities and career aspirations. Laura lived for politics and loved life on Capitol Hill during her years as legislative assisstant to a Louisiana senator. But she was also a caring, thoughtful friend, and a loving godmother to my first child. She was a fighter to the end, but met her match in the cancer that finally over powered her.
Beverly Sparkman
Laura and I met through our parents in the fifth grade. Our fathers worked together at Southern Bell. Laura's family had newly transferred to New Orleans. We both played the violin at our schools. Have memories of us in our black skirts and white blouses for concerts. We became great friends during our McMain years. Weekends at Valencia, sleepovers, shopping, Tulane home games, parties, and carpooling cemented our friendship. Our circle included Jane Hamilton and Maryann Sylvester. Then we chose Franklin over Fortier while other friends went to Fortier. Jane went to McGhee. Franklin was an exciting new focus. New friends included Joan Jackson, Patsy Church, Martha McQuitty, Betty Bird, and many others. Valencia continued to be a place to meet up, enjoy live music, and take off for unplanned fun. Laura hosted luncheons at home and was game to explore restaurants. She talked about things that mattered and had ambition. College years were a dividing time. Laura was able to attend my mother's school, Mary Washington in VA. It seemed that all friends went off to adventurous, challenging schools. LSU-Baton Rouge was where I could go. We kept up over holidays and summers. Then Laura launched a thrilling new career in Washington, DC. Joan, Patsy, and I married and started families. I was always so very proud of Laura's accomplishments and the life she built. Her annual, handwritten Christmas cards were travel logs. Loved getting them. Even saw her a couple of times in Washington. She looked great and was very gracious. I was so impressed with her handsome townhouse and interesting lifestyle. Our contact lessened through the years. News of her illness came. Her older sister took her calls. Laura was so very sick. Later, Laura's obituary laid out an incredible life of service. Did not surprise me at all. She was a most remarkable person.