Laura Fishburne Willoughby

Laura Fishburne Willoughby, age 55, passed away at Meritus Medical Center on August 25, 2024 after experiencing a cardiac arrest at her home the previous day. She was born in La Jolla, California on December 28, 1968, to Mary Fishburne and William Franklin Willoughby, II.

Laura was a longtime resident of Star Community, Inc. in Hagerstown, Maryland, beginning in 1981 when it was still the Anita Lynne Home, and continuing on as it transitioned to become Star Community, Inc. For most of these years, she lived in Hope Cottage along with several other housemates. She also actively participated in comprehensive day habilitation programs offered through Star Community or Anita Lynne Home.

Laura was challenged throughout her life by severe developmental and also physical disabilities due to a large porencephalic cyst which was discovered during her infancy. She was also a Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor and was diagnosed with tongue cancer in the last year of her life. The strength and resilience with which she faced these challenges was admirable. She always remained good-natured, expressing her happiness with big smiles that were contagious to those around her.

Laura enjoyed putting puzzles together, listening to music, playing with sensory objects, taking short walks, and relaxing at home with her housemates. She loved eating M&Ms and having her shoes off. She also loved trips to interact with the community, especially when they involved eating at restaurants or people-watching. Laura liked her home, her housemates and peers, and the staff members who helped with her care. So, despite her many limitations, Laura was happy-she was full of smiles-and she will be dearly missed by all who were a part of her life.

Laura is survived by her mother, Mary F. Heuchert of Waynesboro, VA; her father and stepmother, William F. and Judith B. Willoughby of Chicago, IL; sister, Mary Scott Willoughby of Glasgow, VA; brothers, Westel W. Willoughby of Summerville, SC, and William F. Willoughby, III of Richmond, VA; half-brother, Robert A. Willoughby of Bear, DE.

Funeral arrangements were handled by Rest Haven Funeral Home and she was buried in Rest Haven Cemetery in Hagerstown, MD.