Laurie Pollard

Laurie Gibbs Pollard was born on March 24, 1959 in Fort Benning, Georgia. Laurie’s father, Lt. Colonel Robert Gibbs, was a career Army officer who was stationed all over the world. Moving 23 times in 21 years, Laurie spent time in many locations including New Mexico, Argentina, Idaho, Kansas, Virginia, and Pirmasens, Germany. After graduating from high school in Germany, she spent two years attending the University of Maryland in Munich, and then returned to the US where she completed her Business Management degree at Idaho State University.

In 1982, Laurie married the “love of her life” Mark Pollard on the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Five months after getting married, they moved to Northern California to pursue business opportunities. In 1990 their first daughter, Rachel, was born in Fremont, CA, and three years later their second daughter, Sarah, was born in Pleasanton, CA.

In 1995 they moved to Boulder CO, but after two challenging winters, they moved to sunny Southern California where they happily lived and raised their two wonderful daughters. Laurie loved volunteering at their daughters’ schools, was a Girl Scout Leader, was very involved in National Charity League with both daughters, and an active dance parent. In 2007, Laurie went back to work part-time at The College Blueprint where she was able to put her organizational skills to good use as the Office Manager.

In October of 2015, Laurie’s world was rocked when she was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer. After receiving a 15-month prognosis, Laurie bravely battled for 6.5 years including 6 surgeries and 5 tumor resections, all while sustaining a never-ending positive attitude and a deep faith & love for God, a true inspiration for many. Laurie was truly an incredible wife, mom, daughter, Mimi, and friend, personally connecting and touching every person she interacted with, always brightening their day.

Laurie is survived by her husband, Mark Pollard, two daughters Sarah Pollard & Rachel Moore, son-in-law Jason Moore, grandson Christian Moore, as well as her parents, Robert and Merla Gibbs, her sister Michele Burchfield and brother Robert M Gibbs Jr, their respective spouses, Brother & Sister-in-Law Steve & Virginia Lorenc, and her seven nieces and nephews.