Laraine Mansfield

Dr. Laraine Newhouse Carter Mansfield (age 60) of Lovettsville, Virginia, left this earth on December 16, 2005. She was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and earned her Bachelor''s and Master''s Degrees as well as her Doctorate at Temple University. Following her post-graduate work, Ms. Mansfield embarked upon a 30-year career as a Foreign Service Officer with the US Dept of State in Bahrain & Colombia, as a Training & Development Officer for the US Agency for International Development in Colombia and as an independent consultant and trainer on Middle Eastern Affairs. She co-authored thirteen books in the Area Handbook and Country Studies series published by the Dept of Defense and authored the Consular Guide for Muslim Countries used by the US Foreign Service. Laraine''s studies in Medieval and Islamic History matured into a life-long passion to bring cultures together through educational, artistic and culinary means. Laraine was especially concerned with improving the lives of women and children in all cultures; these efforts included organizing an international response to a cholera epidemic in South America, tireless efforts to provide breast-feeding education in Colombia, work with numerous volunteer agencies and sometimes even resulted in her literally providing the clothes off her back. Laraine is survived by a beloved companion, Jefferson Somers; loving sister, Janice Laskey, and her partner, Shari Lachica of New Jersey; a beloved brother, Joseph Newhouse of Florida; a niece Samantha; two nephews, R.J. and Joey; an uncle, Howard of New York, and an Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Bob of Massachusetts. In addition, Laraine''s life of love and humility leaves her survived by a long line of loved ones who are honored to consider themselves her adopted sisters and brothers, daughters and sons, nieces and nephews. All that knew her, including the Village of Lovettsville will sorely miss her, but her love will endure. A Celebration of Laraine’s life is planned for Monday, December 19, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. at the New Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Lovettsville, VA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: Heifer Project International P.O. Box 8058 Little Rock, AR 72203 or www.heifer.org Arrangements by Loudoun Funeral Chapels, Inc.