Beloved former faculty member Laurie Covington passed away on April 6, 2026. As a member of the Founding Faculty of the reorganized Flint Hill in 1990, Laurie shaped the lives of countless students and colleagues during her tenure as Chair of the Grades 7–12 Latin Department and as a Classics teacher until 2009. Honored with the Driving Spirit Award in 2008, she was instrumental in elevating the Latin program to new heights. Laurie is survived by her son, Tal Covington, a Flint Hill Lifer and member of the Class of 2007.
On April 20, 2026, Laurie’s family, members of the Flint Hill community, and members of the Virginia Latin community gathered in Richmond, VA to celebrate Laurie’s life, sharing memories and reflecting on the profound ways she touched those around her.
Among those offering tributes to Laurie were her friend and former Flint Hill colleague Howard Chang, who spoke movingly at Laurie’s service about her enduring influence; and alum Irina Greenman ’98, who shared a beautiful reflection on Laurie’s obituary page.
Their words, excerpted below, offer a glimpse into Laurie’s extraordinary legacy from the perspective of both a peer and a former student:
Excerpts from Howard Chang’s Eulogy
“How many kids over the years, I wonder, smiled sheepishly as Laurie would gently admonish them, playfully pantomiming a powerful urge to whap them on the back of the head while still masterfully making them feel loved, even when their silliness in the moment threatened to derail her instruction? How many kids beelined to the comfy chairs in Mama C’s room whenever they were distraught, in need of comforting, or just desperately craving a slice of common sense served with a Southern accent? How many colleagues would look up to find Laurie, in all of her persuasive charm and collegial affability, leaning against the doorframe to check in on an advisee or, dare we say, to “empathize” about a new ed-tech initiative, opting for a one-on-one over simply sending another email? How many alumni, when traveling back in their hearts and minds to the halls of Flint Hill, envision Laurie’s face first and foremost, hear Laurie’s voice, and feel the comfort of Laurie’s love for all of her kids?”
Perhaps the secret to Laurie’s enduring legacy comes down to just one Latin word, the one that, to me, captures her personality at its core: Obdūrā.
For as long as I was aware, and lasting down to the last SUV she ever drove, this six-letter Latin imperative verb form was Laurie’s customized license plate. Depending on how you translate it, it can mean a number of things, but I think the meaning Laurie had in mind was a reminder to herself: “Endure,” “Persist” or, more plainly, “Hang in there.”
For as long as I knew her, Laurie was exactly the person who endured, who persisted, who hung in there when others might have given up.”
“Perhaps most impressive of all of Laurie’s many gifts was her ability to make every person she spoke to feel like they mattered, like they were important, and to convey in her authentic manner, Southern accent and all, that she cared for and supported them. I received this gift on this visit, just as I had on the many afternoons that I spent gabbing with Laurie, eating chocolates, and catching up on the news of the day.”
Excerpts from Irina Greenman ’98
“Laurie was the kind of teacher they make movies about. She was eccentric, funny, passionate, brilliant, and endlessly loving. I have had far beyond my share of incredible teachers, and she was among the best and the most influential.
On the first day of my Latin I classes, I always shared with my students a fact that surprised many: I did not want to study Latin at first. I was vehemently against it, in fact, as I had already studied French for three years and wanted to continue with that. I knew by this point that languages were my strongest academic discipline, and I didn’t want to have to choose between two languages I loved, so I made a decision: I was not going to let myself like Latin. I would get through it with decent grades, but that was it.
That resolution lasted less than an hour. My first Latin class felt like my brain was stretching luxuriously in warm sunlight. By the end of the day, Mrs. Covington had come and fished me and a couple of others out of the cafeteria at lunch to go hang out in the Latin classroom and learn about the competitive opportunities available, and I had called my mom to ask if I could stay after school to do more.”
“She mentored me and so many others by her example, walking the teacher’s path with grace, humor, and integrity. The question “What would Laurie do?” helped me and others make many difficult decisions over the years, both inside and outside the classroom. It has never led me wrong, and I know I will not be the only one of her students that will continue to be guided by her in this way.”
“Her name may not appear in the history books, but her legacy certainly will. Her students, and their students, and *their* students, will change the world – because she made us believe we could.
Ave atque valē. Magistra. May the earth be gentle upon you. Your memory and your legacy are a blessing to all of us who knew you.”
Read more about Laurie’s life and career before and after Flint Hill.