Laura (Rodenburg) Allbritton

LAURA (RODENBURG) ALLBRITTON

Pipe Creek, Texas

Eat right and exercise regularly. Laura Lynn (Rodenburg) Allbritton, 66, was the embodiment of this mantra. She was the epitome of good health and did everything right, but it

all went horribly wrong when she was diagnosed with Glioblastoma (GBM) brain cancer 19 months ago. She fought valiantly and even participated in several experimental trials to help advance GBM research to

find a cure, but alas, it was not to be, and she died on Feb. 17, 2019.

Laura was born on Nov. 24, 1952, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Wayne and Betty Rodenburg and grew up on a farm near Underwood, Iowa. She graduated from Underwood High School in 1971 and was a member of the National Honor Society. Laura pursued her undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa, where she continued her education, earning her Juris Doctor diploma from the College of Law in 1977. Her legal career began in Des Moines, Iowa, as a law clerk for Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Ward Reynoldson. She remained in Des Moines for another year, practicing family law at a local firm.

Though she didn't know a soul in Dallas, Texas, she answered an advertisement for a position with the firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld and began in the fall of 1979. Laura enjoyed the work and excitement of living in Big D and became active in Toastmasters. Ten years after moving to Texas, she was awarded the honor of "Dallas Attorney of the Year." Through her practice of law, she met her future husband, Edwin Allbritton. They were married April 25, 1992, and that's when her life adventures really began!

From the markets of Marrakesh to the Serengeti plains, to the green beauty of New Zealand and to the glamour of Paris, she and Ed enjoyed traveling the world. She eventually retired from her law practice and went to work in her husband's company, Allbritton Capital Management. After they both retired, they bought a home in Santa Barbara, Calif., and Laura became active in the Los Fiesteros Dance Club. Even though they both enjoyed Santa Barbara, Ed yearned for a home in the Texas Hill Country, so they built a home in Pipe Creek.

Laura loved nothing more than donning an evening gown to dance the night away, while Ed preferred donning hunting gear. They were the quintessential "Green Acres" couple, combining both lifestyles and living life to the fullest. Then suddenly, tragedy struck. Ed was killed by a distracted driver while riding his bicycle near Bandera, Texas, on Mother's Day 2015. After that, Laura's life pretty much "went to the dogs."

To assuage her grief, she began actively rescuing dogs. She sponsored several rescue organizations and personally provided many animals with medical care while they recovered at her ranch until they were placed in fur-ever homes around the country. To this date, she is credited with rescuing more than 165 dogs and one cat. Now we can only hope and pray that "all dogs go to Heaven," as Laura will be very disappointed if there is no canine contingent to greet her at the Pearly Gates!

Laura is survived by her stepdaughters, Leigh Allbritton of Dallas and Hillary (Mark) Kokes; granddaughters, Hadley and Avery Kokes, both of Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.; sister-in-law, Marcia Fasy of Morro Bay, Calif.; sister, Lynda (Jim) Cote; nephew, Chris Cote; niece, Alison (Kevin) Mock; and great-nieces, Sloane and Clare Mock, both of San Diego. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents and husband.

Visitation will begin at 1 p.m., with services beginning at 2 p.m., at Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home in Boerne, Texas, on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019. A reception will follow at Laura's favorite Boerne restaurant, Valeria, from 4 to 6 p.m. Interment will be at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center at P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486 or online at mdanderson.org/gifts. Specify the memorial for Laura Rodenburg Allbritton and designate GBM Research, OR sponsor, support or adopt a rescue dog and keep their tails wagging! To leave condolences for the family, please visit ebensberger-fisher.com and select obituaries. Arrangements with Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home of Boerne.