Laura Harrigan Peters

Laura Kay Harrigan was born October 25, 1974 in Houston to Jim and Katy Harrigan. Lori was their first child. She filled them with an immediate joy and pride that only grew stronger during her lifetime, and that will not be diminished by her death.

In 1979, the family moved to Southern California, where Lori and her brother and sister were raised. From a young age she exceeded all expectations of intellect, hard work, self-sacrifice, and kindness.

Lori attended St Jeanne De Lestonnac Catholic grade school and graduated from Mater Dei High School in 1992. Lori loved learning and worked hard as a student, winning a National Merit Scholar Award. She went on to earn a B.S. in Cognitive Science from UCLA, and after her graduation in 1996 began work as a consultant for Ernst & Young. She then earned a JD from Northwestern Law, and in 2002 embarked on her law career in Los Angeles at Shepard Mullin. In 2007, Lori transferred to the San Diego office of Shepard Mullin and several years later became In-House Counsel and Associate Vice President with Bridgepoint Education.

Her friends at Bridgepoint remember her as “a vital part of our department since her very first day. She was instrumental in guiding the company through the many twists and turns as it grew and matured. Almost surpassing her legal acumen was Lori’s infectious enthusiasm, kindness, dedication, and always positive attitude.”

Lori earned her career success through collegiality and hard work, but she never lost sight of what matters most in life. Her family always came first. She is the mother of three wonderful children--Ella Grace, Cort Thomas, and Quin Frances. Her love and care for them, always steadfast and unwavering, shone brightest in the face of her illness. She provided her children with a sustaining example of courage and strength and selflessness, and left them with no doubt that they were the center of her life.

Lori was grateful to have had the support during a trying time of hundreds of family members and friends. These included the St. Therese/NDA family, her Bridgepoint and Shepard Mullin colleagues, the doctors and nurses of UCSD Health who provided her exceptional care, her book club, her longtime friends from Mater Dei, UCLA and Northwestern, BSA Troop 713, friends from Canyon Crest Academy, and her large extended family. They all contributed to her well-being during her life and are dedicated to supporting her children and making sure that the loving memory of their mother will never fade and will always be a guiding star in their own lives.

Lori is survived by her parents, Jim and Katy Harrigan, her children Ella, Cort and Quin, her siblings Cindy Wholley (and her husband Bryan Wholley and their daughter Cameron), and James Harrigan (and his wife Emily Harrigan and their daughters Audrey, Katherine and Jacqueline).

Contributions to UCSD Moores Cancer Center or St. Therese of Carmel would be appreciated as would the continued thoughts and prayers for her family in this difficult time.