Laura Ann (Schmidt) Moore—loving mother, caring sister, dedicated Army officer, and devoted educator—passed away at her home in Burke, VA on August 18, 2021 at age 62 after a hard-fought battle with cancer. She is survived by her two daughters, Doctor Christine Moore, San Antonio, TX, and Captain Jennifer Chamberlen and husband, Dylan, Vilseck, Germany; her brother, Chuck, Tampa, FL; her sisters, Dee Dee, Dunedin, FL, and Ree Cee, Clearwater, FL; her nephews; her friends and colleagues; and the father of her children, Dave Moore, Washington, DC.

Laura was born to Roy and Dorothy Schmidt on May 9, 1959. She grew up in Litchfield, IL, where her renown athleticism and fierce competitiveness began to take shape. After studying at the University of Illinois for a year, Laura enlisted in the Army as a private in the Chemical Corps. Her natural leadership caught the attention of her chain of command, and she was admitted into the United States Military Academy Prep School on her way to joining the West Point Class of 1984. 

Laura thrived as a cadet at the Academy, whether excelling as a varsity swimmer for all four years, a club squad cyclist for three years, or as a remarkably strong and fast athlete in any athletic challenge or physical test. Her military experience and natural leadership made her an easy selection for brigade staff (assistant brigade adjutant, first semester) as a firstie. Still, Cadet Schmidt, also known by most as “Schmitty” or “Ma,” kept her balance with academic focus, athletic achievements and the adventurous spirit that led to many a memorable cadet experience, on and off campus. Whether she was cycling up to an alpine lake on Bear Mountain or departing an away football game at halftime to see the local sights, you could count on Laura to be the first with a plan to get the most out of any situation. Of course, the results were mixed in the eyes of the Academy, but in the eyes of Cadet Schmidt they always delivered fun! And even when she pushed herself beyond her limits, as she did during an Indoor Obstacle Course Test early on, the injury she sustained and the recovery she achieved just expanded what Laura was truly capable of achieving in the face of adversity. This perseverance would serve her throughout her life.

Upon graduation in May 1984, Second Lieutenant Schmidt was commissioned into the Aviation branch and attended flight school, where she married fellow classmate and flight student David Moore. Her Army career as an officer and UH-1 pilot included both active duty in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) as well as multiple Army Reserve positions of leadership and staff everywhere the family was stationed. Lieutenant Colonel Moore retired after a distinguished 20-year career. 

Laura pursued her civilian professional life with the same sense of committed service, balancing her duties as an officer in the Army Reserve with her continually changing responsibilities as an educator. She took up elementary, middle school and high school teaching positions wherever the family was located, adding her remarkable passion for educating and developing students in the unique way that only Laura could. Her rich teaching experience and natural leadership would later propel her to lead faculty as an assistant principal. 

Laura was a proud and active Mother in her daughters’ lives. Always encouraging and supporting, Laura made raising and developing Christine and Jennifer the priority of her life. She passed on to them her intensity and passion for sports, science, nature, and the outdoors. Wherever the family found themselves—Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Kansas, Germany, Virginia—there was always an adventure waiting to be enjoyed and led by Laura’s indomitable spirit. The successful lives of her daughters—Christine as a doctor of osteopathic medicine, and Jennifer as an officer in the Army—are true testaments to Laura’s commitment as a loving parent. Both of her daughters carry Laura’s qualities within them. 

Whether you were calling her Daughter, Sis, Mom, Private, Cadet Candidate, “Schmitty,” “Ma,” Cadet, Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Mrs., Ma’am, or Sweetheart, you were always going to get a woman who was strong (physically, emotionally, and spiritually), passionate and intense, full-on competitive, confident and resolute, all-in dedicated, wide-open driven, selflessly sharing and giving, out-front leading, and fully family focused. And her keen sense of duty defined Laura’s lifetime of selfless service to the country she loved, the family she raised, the students she taught, and the faculty she mentored.

Laura will always be remembered for her many qualities: 

• Dedication to raising Christine and Jennifer
• Love of sports and fitness and outdoor activity
• Professional range of selfless service to country and community
• Indomitable strength in the face of any challenge
• Unwavering leadership
• Commitment to go the distance and then some... actually more!
• Humility to never make others feel she was better than them, even though she probably was
• Determination and strong will
• Belief in miracles
• Pride to be a loving sibling and friend to all
• Dedication to educating others
• Pursuit of lifelong learning
• Steadiness and kindness
• Integrity beyond reproach

That’s who Laura was, who she is, and who she will always be! Be Thou at Peace, Laura.