With much sadness, we share the news that legal historian Laurie Wood has passed away. Her family released the following obituary. Remembrances from other colleagues and friends are in the works, and we will post these as they become available.
Laurie Marie Wood of Philadelphia, PA died of breast cancer in her home on June 4, 2023 at the age of 38. She was beloved as mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend, renowned as a professional historian, and accomplished as an amateur chef, gardener, and globetrotter. Born May 7, 1985 to Larry and Marianne Wood in Abilene, TX, Laurie followed family tradition in earning a BA from Texas Tech University, then pursued advanced study in history at the University of Texas-Austin, earning a PhD in 2013 under the supervision of Prof. Julie Hardwick. While a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Wisconsin Law School, she met Cale Weatherly, then a graduate student in chemistry, and quickly realized that she had “found her person.” They married in June 2015.
Laurie obtained a tenure-track assistant professorship in history at Florida State University in 2014 and developed innovative courses on Atlantic piracy, world history, and the Indian Ocean. In 2020, she published the award-winning monograph Archipelago of Justice: Law in France’s Early Modern Empire and earned promotion to associate professor with tenure. She held fellowships at Princeton University, the University of Delaware, and the Library Company of Philadelphia. To balance her own career ambitions with her husband’s job in Philadelphia, she flew each week from Philadelphia to Tallahassee, taught two three-hour lectures in an afternoon, then returned the next day. As a member of Resurrection Philadelphia, she developed short courses on seeking a vocation and on the history of race-related protest in Philadelphia. She enjoyed teaching them to wide swaths of the congregation.
Laurie’s greatest joy was in relationships, and her greatest pride was in her children, Margot (age 5) and Aaron (age 2). She delighted in seeing Margot become a proficient reader and artist, and in following Aaron’s early interest in cars, music, and sports. From her youth, she was an adventurous and versatile cook, a canny decorator, and an enthusiastic gardener. She enjoyed watching sports, sitcoms, and cooking shows, attending 76ers games, indie rock shows, and Philadelphia Orchestra concerts, and eating her way through Philadelphia’s ever-shifting list of Top 50 restaurants. She combined work and pleasure with regular research trips to France and the Caribbean.
In April 2021, Laurie was diagnosed with stage III triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive but treatable form of the disease. She undertook a full course of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, attending each appointment with hope and good cheer. By August 2022, she had completed maintenance chemotherapy treatments and believe that her cancer was eradicated. A month later, she learned that the cancer had spread to her spine and undertook another series of treatments to preserve her mobility and extend her life. In May 2023, she was diagnosed with leptomeningeal disease, a complication of metastatic cancer, and soon entered hospice care. She had final visits with all her closest friends and family and died in her husband’s presence. She was sustained by her Christian faith and the hope of the resurrection.
Laurie is survived by her parents Larry and Marianne Wood, her brother Peter (Xi Xia), her parents-in-law Jon and Tammie Weatherly, sister-in-law Allison Weatherly, husband Cale Weatherly, and children Margot and Aaron Weatherly.
She will be buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery East, a short walk from her house. Her memorial service will be held at Resurrection Philadelphia, with visitation at 1 pm, service at 2:30 pm, with reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please watch for forthcoming information about donating to funds for history education at Florida State University and breast cancer research.
We at the blog offer our deepest condolences to Laurie's family and to all others who are grieving her loss.
-- Karen Tani and Dan Ernst
