Feb. 1, 2008
Laura Golden, 67, of Morganton, NC died peacefully Saturday, January 26, 2008, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Lexington, KY on June 11, 1940, she was the daughter of the late Hubert Andrew and Carolyn Holt Golden. Laura spent most of her early years in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
After receiving a bachelor's degree from Florida State University and a master's degree from Georgia College and State University, she pursued an outstanding teaching and basketball coaching career at The Colorado College, Central Michigan University, and the University of Illinois. She led her teams to National Tournaments at all three institutions, but more importantly she inspired her players to develop positive leadership skills and to always strive to reach their maximum potential. In 1995, Coach Golden was inducted into the Colorado College Hall of Fame.
Golden coached the Fighting Illini for six seasons from 1984-90 and still has the second most wins (83) of any women's basketball coach at Illinois. She led the Orange and Blue to the second round of the NCAA Tournament on two occasions, in 1985-86 and 1986-87.
Laura loved the natural beauty of the mountains and lakes, and upon her retirement from the University of Illinois, she moved to Morganton where she applied her outstanding gift for forging and leading teams in real estate. She was a daily inspiration to those with whom she worked, using her limitless passion to push them to achieve both personal and professional success. Her clients and colleagues knew her to be a fair, but relentless negotiator always guided by her strict code of ethics. Her co-workers knew her as their constant champion, mentor, and friend. When times were tough, they leaned on Laura and knew they'd get through. Her many hobbies and interests included participating in Regional and National Hunting/Retriever events with her dog, Haley, and enjoying summers on beautiful Lake of the Woods, Ontario, Canada.
She will be greatly missed by her many friends and former students throughout the United States and Canada who will fondly remember her for her genuine warmth, enthusiasm, integrity, and wit.
A memorial service and burial will be held at Lake of the Woods, Ontario.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690, the Burke County Friends for Animals, P. O. Box 1884, Morganton, NC 28680-1884 or Central Michigan Women's Basketball, attn.: Marcy Weston, CMU Athletics, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements
