Laura H. Imperial

It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of our mother, Laura H. Imperial , who died on February 27, 2025 , at the age of 82.  At the same time we are comforted by the fact that she is no longer in pain, and the knowledge that the memory of her love will be with us always.

Laura was born to Jane Frances Gosling and George Edwin Hardy on June 17, 1942 in New Brunswick, NJ.  In 1959, Laura graduated from Midland High School in Midland, MI and attended Ohio Wesleyan University from 1959-1961. She married the late Dr. Benjamin Imperial in 1961 from whom she was divorced in 1965.  In 1965 she moved to New Orleans, LA with her children where she was active in local theater, starring in several musicals at Le Petit Théâtre Du Vieux Carré in the French Quarter.  Laura obtained her real estate license in early 1970’s and was consistently a “Million Dollar” performer.  She later worked for Motorola Communications helping to build the company’s early stage cellular network in New Orleans.

In 1994, Laura relocated to Durham, NC where she volunteered with Durham Hospice as a care provider and trainer of other volunteers.  She served on the Woodlake Community Association where she championed the creation of safe walking trails.  Laura possessed a vibrant spirit and ability to bring people together, leading her to become the “mayor” of her cul-de-sac and “grandmother” to all the young children in the neighborhood.  She also provided a caring home for her adopted dog, Ms. Olivia.

She is survived by her children, Janie Imperial of Durham, NC; Eric Imperial and his wife Pyper Davis of Bethesda, MD; her brother, George E Hardy of Washington, DC; her grandchildren, George and Carlisle Imperial of Bethesda, MD; her sister-in-law Karen Hardy of Deerfield Beach, FL; her niece Cathy Riley of Crystal Lake, IL; and preceded in death by her brother the late Ross W Hardy of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and nephew Chris Hardy of Houston, TX.

A private service will be held later this year; Laura will be interred in Eutaw, A L.

In lieu of flowers, we kindly request you make donations to Duke HomeCare & Hospice, 4321 Medical Park Drive, Suite 100, Durham, NC  27704, or t he online giving site: https://www.givetodukeathome. org .

We want to particularly acknowledge the entire staff of the Hock Family Pavilion, an in-patient hospice facility of Duke Health, for the extraordinary compassionate care they provided Laura during the final weeks of her life.