Laura Noel McDonald

September 21, 1962 - January 2, 2018
Laura Noel McDonald

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Laura Noel McDonald, 55, of Williamsburg, passed away on January 2, 2018. Laura was born on September 21, 1962 in Seoul, Republic of Korea to Edgar and Jeanne Noel. She was a graduate of Stuart Hall School in Staunton, VA and Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, Va. Laura had a devotion to history and a love for the musical “1776”. It was this love of history that brought her to what would become her lifetime work as a Historical Interpreter with Colonial Williamsburg where she spent 32 years educating guests and school children of all ages. Laura had a special love for books, both reading and hunting them down in bookstores. She enjoyed reading upon most subjects, especially historical works on Queen Elizabeth the First of England, with whom she was an expert. Laura is survived by her husband James J. McDonald of Williamsburg, VA; her parents Edgar Estes Noel and Jeanne Thompson Noel of Newport News, VA; Brother William E. Noel and his wife Michele Noel of Fredericksburg, VA (Nieces Caroline Noel, Tara Noel, and nephew Caleb Noel); Brother Norbourn W. Noel and his wife Kim Noel of Sarasota, Fl (Nieces Samantha Noel and Kate Noel);  Brother-in-Law William F. McDonald of Jersey City, NJ ( Nephews Sean McDonald and Ryan McDonald of North Arlington, NJ). The family will receive family and friends at a Memorial Service on Saturday, January 13, 2018 beginning at 6:00pm at Bucktrout Funeral Home, Williamsburg, Va. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Laura’s name to the Williamsburg Hospice House, 4445 Powhatan Parkway, Williamsburg, VA 23188.


Service

Saturday, January 13, 2018
6:00 PM

Bucktrout Funeral Home - Directions
4124 Ironbound Road
Williamsburg, VA 23188
757-229-3822

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  • January 11, 2018
    Melody Liberatore says:
    Jim, I am so very sorry for your loss. Laura was truly a lady. She was understanding, positive and welcoming to me when many others were not. How I will miss seeing her at the Geddy and talking with her at the Lumber House for Evening Programs. She was one of the most positive people I met at CW. She had the most beautiful outlook on life. I wish I would have known how ill she was because I would have told her how much I admired her outlook on life. How sorry I am for your loss.

  • January 11, 2018
    Suzanne Tarr says:
    Jim, I am heartbroken about the passing of Laura. She was truly a delight to work with and I will miss our conversations. I feel blessed to have known such an amazing person.

  • January 11, 2018
    Michael & Shari Monaco says:
    Jim, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I learned so much from listening to Laura's interpretations, and we would always chat about our book collections, which we both agreed could never be big enough. May the God of all comfort be with you and yours at this time.

  • January 11, 2018
    Terry Thon says:
    A beautiful lady has left us--and I say "lady" in the truest meaning of the word. Laura was a person of integrity, honesty and intelligence. She was a kind and caring person. She proved her love of history by telling it as accurate and correct as her research allowed--her tribute to the people of the past. Jim and Family I am so sorry for your loss-hold tight to your memories. I am glad I was able to share space here on earth with Laura, it was a good time.

  • January 09, 2018
    Judith Letchworth says:
    A wonderful young lady will be missed by all. Prayers to the family for comfort at this very difficult time.