Eulogy for Lara. Read by Julie Foster at the Funeral

I feel privileged to be able to talk to all of you about Lara--about what she meant to me. Nothing I can say will convey what an amazing and complex, yet simple woman Lara was. Lara was well-loved and lived an amazing life even though it was way too short. Lara was a great friend; that would literally give you the shirt off of her back. I think everyone who knows her well would agree her passion was enjoying life. She was the kind of person that would make everyone laugh so hard that theyíd end up crying. Who could forget that laugh? As Roger wrote on the blog it was a half cackle/half laugh. Along with her smile, it was her trademark. I will never forget Lara's laugh or smile.

Whether it was the times we shared or the stories she told, being her friend was an adventure. I was fortunate to have called her friend for over 35 years. We met as toddlers and when we where young kids, we were inseparable. I have so many memories that there just isn't enough time to share them all with you. My stories may seem ordinary, but anyone knows that life with Lara was anything but ordinary. I knew Lara before Greedy & Chavez. There was Mishca & Chablis the family's dogs and Doggie; Lara's beloved stuffed dog that I kid you not was with her from (I think) birth until her backpack was stolen at age 19. (Update: Steve Hyde confirms that Lara was actually 25, not 19) Doggie went everywhere, just like her dogs do now and she slept with it from the day she got it until the day it was taken from her. Guna was forever trying to repair Doggie for Lara. Doggie became this decrepit stuffed animal that was so worn, ripped & lacked stuffing, it was just a shell of a thing, but if Lara loved you it was unconditional and to the end.

I knew her when her she had a huge collection of Bonne Bell Lip Smackers. Not the little ones, but the big ones and she had all of the best flavors. I knew her when she wore her hair like members of Aha & Flock of Seagulls as well as wearing typical 80's clothes, shoulder pads in jackets with tight cropped pants. It's true, there are pictures. I knew her when she went through her "Who" phase. She was in love with Roger Daltrey and spent a small fortune getting her hair cut & permed to look just like his. Lara was fashion conscious had her own great style.

I remember the fun we had and how we constantly pushed the limits and we got in to trouble a lot, but still had a great time. There was a vacant lot across the street from her house. Guna would constantly tell us to stay out of there; because we both had allergies, but did we listen? I remember one time we played in the grass, it was like 3ft tall and we crawled around like jungle animals, until our eyes literally swelled shut. And once when we were in grade school (1st or 2nd grade) we decided it would more fun to play all day. We never made it to school, we stopped at a church, ate our lunch and decided school must be over, so time to go home. Of course, an exasperated Guna was there to get us back to school. But our trip to Hawaii was our best adventure or misadventure; Guna, Lara and me (we were 12-13) and it was a typical Lara trip. Things didn't go as planned, but it always seemed to work out. We got bumped & ended up getting some money so we bought Candies shoes (explain: cross between Dr. Scholl's sandal and a stiletto heel). Here we were in Waikiki and were not wearing flip flops weíre wearing high heels all day until we had blisters and had to put band-aids on our feet. We also rented a paddle boat and spent about 6 hours paddling out to sea. I'm not sure if we got past the reef, but Guna sent the coast guard, Navy whoever to come find us and bring us back. As a consequence we got wicked sunburns, but only on the front & our shoulders because we weren't wearing shirts. Guna then tried to "cool" our burns by slathering us with Noxema. We lay on the beds in pain, but we didn't let it stop us from ordering Blue Hawaiis from the bar & trying to sneak into dance clubs at night. The drinking age was 18 & we seriously thought we were fooling the bartenders, but they had the last laugh. Guna got the bill for about $80 worth of virgin Blue Hawaiis. Lara was mischievous and being her friend was an adventure and an unforgettable ride.

I will remember spending the holidays with Lara, Chad, her brother and her parents and the stories she shared of her adventures. She shared with us her travels all over the world and we lived vicariously through her. Lara had an appreciation for people and cultures and she taught us about things we would never have known otherwise.

She is a part of our family. I love her like a sister. She loved my children and they love her. When they were together, I never knew who was having more fun. Whenever I saw Lara, she always asked about them. Corey remembers when she would come in her red/orange suburban with Greedy & Chavez in the back & take them to Easy Street to get CD's that, of course, I may or may not have liked. Stephanie was fortunate to create her own wonderful memories with Lara on trips to New York and Costa Rica. Which were also typical Lara misadventures, not unlike those Lara and I experienced. Stephanie was also a part of Lara and Chad's wedding. One of my very favorite memories of Lara was helping her pick out her wedding dress. Initially Lara had picked out this sweater and a skirt, which were pretty, but not really right for her. Stephanie and I convinced Lara to go to a few bridal stores just to "look". When she tried on the dress that she wore in her wedding, we all knew instantly that it was the one, she looked stunning. In typical Lara fashion, she was hesitant about asking her dad to buy it. I looked at her and said, "Are you kidding me? He is going to be hurt if you buy this yourself." There is nothing Robert wouldn't do for Lara.

Robert, her father, was a pillar of strength in her life. He instilled in her so much of the goodness the she embodied. Lara did her good deeds by stealth. She never advertised the fact that she helped so many people in so many different ways. She never talked about her numerous acts of kindness. Yet I believe that almost everyone here today has been at the receiving end of that kindness.

On the blog many of you wrote about Lara's ability to be direct and say what she felt. A trait she surely gained from her mother, Guna, along with Lara's love of taking along a camera to capture moments and memories. And, like sisters do, Lara may have teased Robert, Jr. growing up, but she loved him and worried about his future.

And finally when Lara talked about Chad and their life together, it was obvious how happy she was and how very much she loved him and how very much he loved her. I am happy that Lara found her soul mate and true love.

It is also very gratifying to see and know how many others will genuinely miss Lara. I'm not sure if she would have known that she was so popular, and that sheíd be missed so much. I think she might actually be surprised if she saw how many people have gathered here and online to mourn her. It says so much more about her, and her friendship and kindness, than mere words could ever convey.

I will miss her visits and long talks. I will miss her stories and her light. Good friends like Lara are a gift. The gift Lara was, she now leaves with us. She taught us that we should give of ourselves not only in deeds, but in spirit. She leaves us to remember that which is most importantóthat life is precious and meant to be enjoyed-and always with a smile.

She left a legacy of love and laughter that won't soon be forgotten and I will especially miss Lara's unconditional friendship and love. I love you Lara.

Julie Foster