Obituary

Died on July 13, 2013, at the age of 66, after so positively managing the challenges of cancer. Optimism, passion and compassion defined her entire life. As a fused glass artist, she was happiest in her studio. She saw the world in colors and shapes. Her last 20 years were spent on Capitol Hill, where she was an integral part of community life. A retired art teacher from Watkins Elementary, she taught and inspired many children. Laurie is survived by her loving husband Alan Levine; sister Lissa and her partner Jim; daughter Emily and her husband Ciwan; son Eric, his wife Angela and their three children; nieces Alana, Elizabeth and Rebecca and nephew Justin; along with close friends, near and far. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at 3 p.m. on August 3 at Christ Our Shepherd Church, near Eastern Market. To celebrate her love of color and life, please wear colors of the rainbow. In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting The Corner Store (www.cornerstorearts.org) and Interfaith Peace-Builders (www.ifpb.org).

Excerpts from various media

Beloved Capitol Hill artist and teacher Laurie Siegel died July 13 at her Capitol Hill home after a year-and-a half battle with cancer. She was 66. A Capitol Hill resident since 1995, she quickly fell in love with her community (and vice versa) and eventually met Alan Levine, whom she married in 2006. An award winning teacher, she taught art at several area schools, including Watkins Elementary School for 25 years.

After retiring from Watkins, Laurie served as artist-in-residence for several public schools. She specialized in artistic glass-fusing, crafting beautiful items in her home studio on Kentucky Avenue, SE, including colorful pendants and bowls. She was one of three original board members of the Corner Store, a local cultural and social center.

Laurie used her talents to help others, especially children. While she taught at Watkins, she often used her own money to buy art supplies for her students. For a fundraiser at the Corner Store, Laurie and her pupils sold their beautiful glass “pendants for peace” to raise money to buy Plumpy’ Nut, a peanut-based paste which combats malnutrition in developing nations. Teaching art through other cultures was Laurie’s passion, and she received fellowships to travel and study in West Africa, Japan, China and Canada. In 2003 she helped artist Kris Swanson (who founded the Corner Store with husband Roy Mustelier), with the community mosaic “Yume Tree,” on the wall of the CVS at 12th and E Streets, SE. “We will dedicate the tree to Laurie at the 10th anniversary party October 5. Laurie was a huge part of our life at the Corner Store, and her beautiful smile could light up a room. She is missed beyond words,” said Swanson.

Laurie enjoyed an active social life and had many friends. She always cooked up a storm for our neighborhood gourmet club, CHOMPS (Capitol Hill Official Meal Preparation Society). A voracious reader, she also belonged to the Ninth Street Book Club. At one such a gathering in our back yard a few years ago, we were all laughing so hard that Laurie fell off the picnic bench. When Laurie hosted the book club, she always set a beautiful table, complete with elegantly lettered place cards and colorful favors. 

Laurie’s sister Lissa recalls her numerous art projects and fundraising efforts, and her warm relationships with Hill merchants. “Walks around the Hill with Laurie were wonderful,” said Lissa. “Someone was always recognizing her; maybe a student or parent from decades ago. I will miss my sister; her love made me a stronger and better person….her death will leave one less color in the rainbow…Rainbows were special for my sister Melanie, and her spirit will join Laurie’s spirit. I will look for rainbows; each one more special than the next.”

Laurie Ann Robins was born in Washington DC. Her family moved to Fairfax, then Silver Spring, where Laurie and her siblings grew up. According to Lissa, the children played in their sandbox with Tricia Nixon when the families were neighbors in Fairfax. Laurie’s parents, Mort and Edith Robins, worked for the Public Health Service in Washington. Laurie’s other sister, Melanie, died of ovarian cancer at 34.

Like her mother, Laurie attended Boston University and later transferred to the University of Maryland where she earned a fine arts degree (making the Dean’s List), and later a MFA. Laurie eventually moved to Washington—first Columbia Heights and then the Hill.

She is survived by her husband Alan Levine, two children from her first marriage, Emily Siegel and Eric Siegel, daughter-in-law Angela, son-in-law Ciwan, sister Lissa Kapust and partner Jim, and three grandchildren. A memorial service will be held August 3 at 3 p.m. at Christ Our Shepard Church, 801 North Carolina Avenue SE. In lieu of flowers, friends may consider a contribution to the Corner Store (www.cornerstorearts.org <http://www.cornerstorearts.org/>) or Interfaith Peace Builders (www.ifpb.org<http://www.ifpb.org/>).