Laura Frances Pierce-Cogar (1961–2023)

Laura Frances Pierce-Cogar of Severna Park, Maryland, passed away on September 29th at Baltimore Washington Medical Center at the age of 62. Laura was born on February 2, 1961, in Norfolk, VA.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, R. Michael Cogar, her parents, Robert F. and Ursula S. Pierce, her brother, Andrew Pierce and Linda Pierce (wife); Shannon Pierce Gagnon (niece) and Donnie Gagnon (husband), Justin Pierce (nephew) and Laci Pierce (wife); Jon O'Donnell (brother-in-law) and Teri O'Donnell (wife); Jason O'Donnell (nephew) and Kelly O'Donnell (niece).

She attended Joppatowne High School, Joppa MD and Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA where she received a BA degree in journalism. She worked in the aerospace industry for several corporations that supported the Goddard Space Flight Center. She started her career as a technical writer and at the end of her career had advanced to a business manager for various mission programs. Laura was a remote worker early in her career as she navigated her health challenges. This was long before it became as prevalent as it is today. Laura had a fun spirit and all who know her will remember her laugh. Laura was an intelligent, beautiful woman with many passions. She was a very talented artist and surrounded her home with unique pieces, many of which she created herself. She had a talent for looking at a discarded item and deciding she could make it into a new decoration. She greatly enjoyed art, literature, writing, reading, music, home design, gardening, travel, beaches and the Blue Angels. Some of her favorite places were Germany, Aruba, the North Carolina Outer Banks and Blackwater Falls, WVA. She also enjoyed her favorite sports teams, the Orioles and Ravens. She praised them when they played well and did not hold back when they did not. Laura loved cats. Her love for cats started as a small child with Kip ("the enchanted Siamese cat") and she was blessed with many cats all her life. One particular favorite pet was Grey Kitty. He was a stray who wandered onto her back porch. He was wearing an old collar which was choking him, so she removed it. He continued to visit and eventually worked his way to indoor privileges. He knew he hit the jackpot and comforted Laura for many years. Also, her passion for cats extended to hedgehogs, dogs, birds, llamas and all other animals.

Laura passed away peacefully in the presence of Michael, her devoted husband. Michael shared many of the thoughts and memories of her closest friends with Laura. They listened to music together including Neil Young's Harvest Moon, their wedding song, and it was a harvest moon the night she passed.

In memory of Laura and in lieu of flowers, please feel free to contribute to the below charities which she supported.

The Feline Rescue Association, Inc. 10999 Red Run Blvd. Suite 205 UPS Box 296 Owings Mills, MD 21117 https://www.baltimorecats.org/

K9s for Warriors 114 Camp K9 Road Ponte Verda FL 32081 https://k9sforwarriors.org/

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 11am at Barranco Severna Park Funeral Home & Cremation Care, P.A. 495 Ritchie Hwy, Severna Park, MD 21146.