Laurie Ann Foster-Peterson

Laurie Ann Foster-Peterson, 55, of Tarpon Springs, FL, passed away on December 19, 2015. Laurie was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend, teacher, and photographer. She was born to George W. Foster and Barbara Power Foster on May 4 in Athens, GA. She graduated from Bishop Moore High School (Orlando, FL) and Mercyhurst College (Erie, PA). Laurie was one of the founding rowers on the Bishop Moore HS Woman's Crew team. She went on to row nationally and internationally for Mercyhurst College. Laurie loved to travel, first with her parents and later with her husband and children. She visited Turkey, Greece, Italy, England, France, Belgium, Scotland, Ireland, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, Mexico, Spain, and Portugal. Her photography skills were so amazing that some of her photos from a trip to Italy were displayed in Olive Garden restaurants across the country. Laurie began her teaching career in the Miami area; she taught English and yearbook. She took a break from teaching to spend several years as a Herff-Jones yearbook representative. In 2000, Laurie returned to her real calling — teaching Language Arts and directing yearbook. She was so proud of the work that her students did and often told how some of her students made careers in journalism. Laurie was also active in various Catholic parishes throughout Florida, serving the church and its community through singing, teaching, and other ministries. In 2001, she married Mark Peterson, a Navy veteran and statistical analyst. Their dream of having a family was realized in 2006 when Laurie gave birth to their twin sons, Kelly and Dakota. Mark and Laurie shared their love of the outdoors and travel with their sons. As a family, they enjoyed hiking in the mountains of North Carolina and Georgia, swimming, and fishing. Laurie’s mother preceded her in death on December 24, 2013, and then her husband Mark on June 15, 2014. In 2014, Laurie contracted bacterial meningitis and suffered a series of strokes, which forced her early retirement from teaching and leaving East Lake High School. Through rehabilitation therapy, she was working to return to full health. She is survived by her sons, Kelly Maris and Dakota James of Tarpon Springs, FL; father, George Foster of Altamonte Springs, FL; aunt, Margaret Foster of Athens, GA; mother-in-law, Mavis Peterson of Vero Beach, FL; brother, Kevin Foster (Maureen) and Laurie’s goddaughter and niece, Anna, all of Hyattsville, MD; sister-in-law, Catherine Peterson Carreiro of Las Vegas, NV; as well as numerous cousins, other family, friends, co-workers, and students. Laurie will live on through Dakota and Kelly; they will keep her spirit and memory alive. She touched many people as a teacher, an artist, and a friend. All of our lives are richer for having known her. A celebration of Laurie’s life will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at Baldwin Fairchild East Altamonte, 994 E Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs, FL. Visitation will be held beginning at 5:00 pm, with service to follow at 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Laurie Foster-Peterson to the National Parks Foundation (nationalparks.org).