Obituary of Laura Mae Trexler

Laura M. Trexler, of Sterling, Virginia died from a stroke on Friday, October 19, 2012 in Reston Hospital Center, Reston, Virginia. Laura was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 26, 1913, to Edwin A. Trexler and Anna M. Baxter. Dedicated to a life of service, she served as Lieutenant in the United States Navy from 5/1/43 to 11/19/47. She then went on to serve as the first Director of Guidance at the Northern Valley Regional High School District in 1955 at the district's first high school, Demarest, and later on became Director of Guidance for both Demarest and the second district high school, Old Tappan. She was described by many as a "force of nature" and she pushed her students to strive for excellence. She left the district in 1966, after which she then served in the Office of Education in Washington, D.C., Bureau of Elementary and Secondary Education as Education Program Specialist. She was an active member of the Lutheran Church of Reformation in Washington, DC, helping sponsored refugee families from Vietnam and Czechoslovakia to adjust to a new life in the United States. Lieutenant Trexler was an active member of the Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW). She established the MOWW National Capital Area Chapter. Laura is survived by nieces and nephews. In addition, she is beloved by the refugee families, friends, former students, and colleagues whose lives she touched in innumerable special ways. A memorial service will be held at 8:30 a.m. November 11, 2012 at the Lutheran Church of Reformation , 212 East Capitol Street, Washington, DC 2003. Phone: 202-543-4200 In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Lutheran Home, 9701 Viers Drive, Rockville, MD 20850