Obituary of Laura Ann Baranek

Laura Baranek passed away on October 16, 2023, after several years of health issues. She was only 62 years old, but she’d filled those years with adventures and happiness, living on her terms. Laura was able to spend her final days at her condo in Satellite Beach, Florida, with her loving husband Dave.

Laura was born in Palo Alto, California, November 17, 1960. She grew up in nearby Los Altos and Los Altos Hills, enjoying her youth: she was a Girl Scout; she had her own horse; she created and sold terrariums, coached a girls soccer team, and had many other activities.

Her childhood helped her develop an appetite for adventure and travel, as well as a sense of responsibility and determination – attributes that stayed with her throughout her life. In addition, she was intelligent, creative, and had a sweet sense of humor.

Laura graduated from Los Altos High School. She then completed her bachelor’s degree at San Diego State University in 1983. While in San Diego she met her future husband, Dave, who was an F-14 radar intercept officer. They married in La Jolla in 1985, and Laura thrived in the Navy fighter squadron life.

She worked for a health maintenance organization for a few years, but then she began the career for which she was perfectly suited: real estate agent. Working with buyers and sellers, Laura was empathetic, a great negotiator, good with details, and cool under pressure. She quickly became a successful agent and enjoyed recalling the times she kept a deal on track by discovering an error or resolving the unexpected at the settlement table.

When the Navy moved Dave to the Pentagon in 1990, the couple moved to Northern Virginia, where Laura again became a successful real estate agent. When the Navy wanted to move Dave in 1993, it was Laura’s idea to go to Japan. There she enjoyed living in the town of Nobi, making many friends, and traveling all over Asia. After 2 ½ years the couple moved to Virginia Beach for several years, and then back to Northern Virginia. In both locations Laura enjoyed success as a real estate agent.

In 2018 Laura and Dave retired and moved to Satellite Beach, and Laura remarked how happy she was with the decision.

Laura is preceded in death by her father. She is survived by her mother, sister, and two brothers, as well as her husband, Dave.

A funeral Mass will be held at Our Saviour’s Catholic Church, Cocoa Beach Florida, November 6, 2023, at 10:30 am. A celebration of life will be announced at a future date. If you would like to make a donation in Laura’s memory, one of her favorite charities was St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.