It is with a very heavy heart I must tell you my wife, Laura Lee McCombs Schwartz, died on May 1. She was only 45.

As many of you know, Laura and I visited Treasure Beach each year for several years. Your beautiful land and the vibe we felt so strongly there immediately captured our hearts, and soon we began to fall in love with the simplicity and the incredible spirit of the people and the place -- the combination of both that forms the essence of your community. We made dozens of dear friendships, and we planned to eventually retire to Treasure Beach and live there full-time.

Laura lived in Treasure Beach from late December 2008 until returning home to Atlanta in late February 2009. The love and peace she experienced there will always be a cherished comfort for her me and the rest of her family.

I would particularly like to thank so many people in Treasure Beach who helped and loved and sheltered Laura as best they could, and gave so much of themselves. I know I have forgotten some names and I apologize for that. But I am extending special thanks to Aman, Miss Laura, Ozzie, Dougie, Floyd, Ted, Calvin, Lenox, Miss Medita, Miss Verlin, Miss Jen, Miss Jem, Eggy, Alicia, Zeb, Bernard, both Juniors, Kerron, Dennis, Ritchie, little Connie—and especially Len and Charmaine and Alison, who became her second family.

Laura was known professionally for her expertise in the restaurant and catering businesses in the Atlanta, Georgia area. But, as Laura would be the first to acknowledge, her greatest accomplishment was the upbringing of her son, Ross, who has become an exceptional young man with incredible strength, compassion, warmth, wit, and sense of duty and responsibility.

Laura also had a passion for travel, and she developed close and long-lasting relationships around the world -- in Denmark, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Romania, Italy, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and most of all in Treasure Beach.

Laura was a big personality with a huge heart, who loved deeply, cared deeply, felt deeply, and will be missed deeply by many, many friends.

I will be in Treasure Beach with Ross and my three children the first week of August to hold a memorial service for Laura, and spread her ashes there -- a specific request of hers. I hope those she knew and loved will be able to attend, and I will send more details later.

Our family is asking that people make donations in honor of Laura's memory to Treasure Beach Foundation by going to their website, www.treasurebeachfoundation.org or by mailing a check to Treasure Beach Foundation at 11124 Rich Meadow Drive, Great Falls, VA 22066-1415.

Congratulations and welcome back to Mr. Cuff on his appointment on becoming Principal of Newell High. All the the best with your new posting and good luck.

Such sad news David. We met Laura at Lenox's One Love Beach Bar in Billy's Bay. She told me a bit about her life and how much she loved Treasure Beach. Condolences to you and her son.

Dear David and Ross,

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I'm glad that I got to interact with Laura via the phone and hear some of her fun adventurous stories. Keep strong.

Kind Regards,
Nicole Salotti

This is very sad. She was very young.

My husband and I met her at Floyds. A very nice lady. Am very sorry to her about this.

Was Laura's death sudden? You don't have to go into details, but the fact she had fallen in love with a country like Jamaica, made her special to everyone. My heart felt sympathy to her grieving family.

Yes it was sudden and unexpected. We have had two very sweet and emotional gatherings and we will be in TB august 1-8 for a final memorial at rainbow tree. We will spread laura's ashes there. She is so missed.

Thanks to all for your condolences