My memorial to Laura in my fairyland display. A Chakra tree with a jade elephant. It will forever remain as a reminder of the love (and birthdays) we shared. We were born on the same day. It was a special connection.

Laura and I at the HOA Christmas party. She looked so beautiful.

Laura is a beautiful soul. She deserved the sun moon and stars. I’m so sorry to hear of her passing.  May her sweet spirit continue to bless the visions she had and people she helped.

Laura was one of the most remarkable women I have ever met.  To know her was to love her.  I mentored her after she passed the Bar and within two years she was schooling me.  She was loving, devoted and had an unbeatable smile.  She will be truly missed by me as a good friend and trusted colleague.

I really miss you Laura. You were such a bright light to everyone you met. I was blessed to live in your neiborhood. You and Matt were one of the first people to welcome us and make us feel accepted to the neighborhood. You generousity, smile, compliments,  hugs and over all presence is dearly missed. You made everyones day a little brighter.  You always went out of your way to make others happy.  I enjoyed our conversations and was amazed by your drive, acomplishments, kindness, advise, and beauty.  I loved our growing friendship and ofcourse your dumplings that you seemed to always make sure I got.  I walk by your house each day  sending a hug up to you.

I met Laura at a Stetson Alumni-student mixer event and she quickly became a role model for me as an aspiring lawyer. Her generosity, kindness, fierce advocacy, and frank nature made an impression on me - since I met her, I have strived to be like her. She was so generous in her willingness to help shape a student into a professional.

Our paths only crossed a couple of times, and for that much, I am so fortunate. I hold so much respect and admiration for her, and my heart is with you all who knew her well. There are not enough words to describe what an incredible woman she was and the depth of her impact in our lives.

Rolling, rolling, rolling farther down the Space Shuttle Landing Strip, Laura and Matt pass close by to the massive Vertical Assembly Building (VAB).

Touchdown!  Laura becomes the first Chinese-born pilot, flying a Chinese-made aircraft, to land on NASA’s private and restricted, three-mile long, Space Shuttle Landing Strip.

Rolling out between a mock-up Space Shuttle Orbiter and the control tower of the Shuttle Landing Strip.

Laura - caught with her mouth full by the photographer - and Matt at the Gala farewell dinner under the Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center.  This might be the only photo of her where she is not flashing her famous smile.  I hope she would laugh.

Laura and Matt’s Chinese trainer aircraft sitting tall among a portion of the fleet of 27 general aviation aircraft we flew into the Shuttle Landing Facility.

Laura posing proudly with NASA Shuttle Astronaut Robert Springer and a part of the Lawyer Pilots Bar Association membership that flew into the Space Shuttle Landing Strip.

Laura preparing to fly to NASA’s restricted Shuttle Landing Facility.

We invited her to dinner and had a lovely time.  She snuck off and paid the check after we had made it clear that she was our guest.  It made her so happy to be giving.  That’s a small look at the kind of person Ying Gao was.  We loved her and we will miss her.

Laura was always generous with her time and talent. We went for a breakfast flight and she let me fly her plane on the way back. She wouldn’t take any money for gas so I left a credit on her account as I left Pilot Country. It wasn’t long after that that I received a beautiful pair of Pearl earrings from Laura. She used my credit on her gas account and then repaid me with a gift. I think of her every time I wear my earrings. God has another beautiful Angel in Heaven to watch over us.

Laura was kind, fun, smart, generous, and enthusiastic. I met her as a student in my first-year research and writing class at Stetson, where she received the top grade in the class and was one of the top oral advocates. We had a wonderful friendship from that time on. I was amazed to have an accomplished pilot for a student and took her up on offers to see her unique plane and watch she and her husband Matt do touch and goes at the Albert Whitted Airport. Upon learning of my daughter’s love of chicken and waffles, she insisted that we all sample the chicken and waffles at the Hangar Restaurant—which we did. Laura would bring me tea when she visited China or when friends brought her tea from China and would visit me when she was in the St. Pete area. She gave me a beautiful tea set after she graduated, which I still cherish and use. 

One of my favorite memories of Laura was a time during her first year of law school when I was complaining to her during office hours about how stressful my life was at the time. She told me that I needed to embrace my stress and appreciate what it was trying to tell me. I thought that was wonderful advice, and a few weeks later when she was quite ill with a 103-degree fever, she emailed me that she may be unable to attend a class. I emailed her back and said, “I have been doing as you suggested and embracing my stress, does the same thing work with the flu? :)” Her response was both humorous and profound: “One thing that I learned from this experience--we cannot embrace everything. Sometimes we have to say no and choose a different path. :)” I printed out her response, taped it to my office wall, and would read it every day. It has stayed on my office wall for ten years. 

I will miss Laura, her kindness, and her wonderful smile. Matt is right; she has changed many lives for the better, and I am grateful to be one of those. I think she is still flying above us, showering us with her goodness.

Laura is celebrating her American citizenship with her flying friends at Alfred Whitted Airport.

From flying to scuba diving, to motorcycles and bare boat charting, Laura is one of the most adventurous and coolest people I have met. Her joy was infectious and she was such a kind and genuine friend. I will miss her very much.

Laura was a kind, sweet soul and a positive, energetic go-getter.  Her enthusiasm and brilliance were as boundless as her courage and empathy.  She had a remarkable zest for life that made the world a better place.

It was my pleasure getting to know Laura as a student and her bar coach. She taught me just as much as I helped her. “No mud, no lotus.”

She brought me back “Buddha Beans” after her trip to China. She was wise beyond her years and always gave more than she received. I’m so sad to hear she’s passed away.

We shared a birthday and other interests. I’ll miss the way her eyes lit up and the smile on her face when she and I would get together.  This was our last photo together. We lived in the same neighborhood and shared a life of aviation living.  I’ll miss waving to her as she rode her bike on the road making laps around the runway. Most of all, I’ll miss just being able to share my special thoughts with her. My heart hurts.

This is heartbreaking news. I wasn't blessed too know Laura well, but when we lost my younger brother Jesse last year, she reached out to support my family and me. Her caring and generosity during such a difficult time for my family is something I will never forget. From what others who knew Laura better than me have written, this was the epitome of who Laura was as a person. My Mom and I were planning on taking Laura out to lunch to thank her for her thoughtfulness. And then we lost my Mom. And now I read this about Laura. It's truly heartbreaking. My thoughts and prayers will be with all of Laura's family, friends, colleagues and Stetson classmates as they struggle with Laura's loss. Especially her husband Matthew and her mother Yaping. Laura's loss came far, far too soon. Especially for such a generous, giving and caring soul. Rest in Peace, Laura.

I too knew Laura from Stetson. She radiated intelligence, eagerness to help, passion for life.

This pic was taken the first time I met Laura. She made a lasting impression on me, and I instantly wanted to get to know her better.   Time flies and we’re all super busy always thinking we have plenty of time. I’m so very sorry that I didn’t make really befriending Laura a higher priority.

Laura was  one of the most kind and generous people I have ever met. She had an adventurous spirit and was always ready to try something new. I am so grateful  that Laura chose to share so many adventures  with me. She will be deeply missed.

Boating memories with wonderful friends that became family!!!!

LAURA always with lots of people and new friends.
She never met a stranger
She joined the Ocala Rotary shortly after I joined just to support me!!!
She was always so giving of herself for EVERYONE she met!!!

Laura and I hiking in Blue ridge mountains.
We were planning our next vacation during this rest.
LAURA was reminding me at the time this picture was taken how special our feet are.
They were the vessel to take us anywhere we ever wanted to go. She said, our feet can take us anywhere, we just have to be willing.
She was always full of words of wisdom and encouragement.
I so greatly appreciate all of her words and love for me.
She loved bigger than anyone I know.
And she loved me!!! And I love HER!!!

Laura was my aviation and air plane friend. Once a year—around Sun n Fun—I would talk planes and happily geek out about aviation. Laura would light up and her interest and enthusiasm were infectious. With another air show this weekend, I was so excited to try to find her last Saturday at a recent event so I could talk planes. I didn’t know she was gone. I left heartbroken when I found out. We often don’t realize how many lives we touch and the impact we have on others. Laura is and will be deeply missed.

Laura was always kind and engaging. Every time I saw her she was all smiles and had quick, engaging stories.

Laura was an incredibly nice person. I don’t know anyone who would say differently. 

After not speaking for a few years following law school gradation, I reached out to her because I needed to start guardianship proceedings for my mom. Laura listened to me and was so empathetic to the situation I was in. She made a referral to an attorney that started the ball rolling on the proceedings; it was a step I needed to take but was having trouble with. She encouraged me and assured me that  I was doing the right thing. It meant so much.

She was kind and gentle and will be greatly missed.

I am immensely sad to learn of the passing of my lovely friend, Laura Ying Gao. She was a brilliant, funny, caring person who lived life to the fullest. During my first year of law school at Stetson University College of Law, Laura would sit right next to me and pass me these yummy little candies from China that had a little rabbit on the wrapper to keep me hyped up for our evening classes. She always knew how to put a smile on everyone's face, and she never met anyone who didn't absolutely love her. Laura took me out flying in her plane and she expertly navigated and let me relax and enjoy the gorgeous views while listening to her voice in the headset. I don't know how Laura passed, but she was one of the loveliest people who ever lived and she will live on in our hearts forever. We had recently messaged about needing to get together soon, so this hits hard because we didn't make it happen. If I insist on seeing you soon, just know it comes from a place of not wanting to lose the opportunity again. I am incredibly sad, and my only solace is the hope that she is flying high with beautiful skies. I love you, my friend! 💔

This photo from 2010 was one of the greatest highlights of my life, shared with Laura and Ellen. We won the Air Race Classic in large part to the contributions to our team by Laura. I admired her brilliance and perseverance. She will be missed.

My wife and I and our fellow members of LPBA extend our sincere condolences.  All of us who knew her character, her charm, her stunning beauty and her keen intellect are grieving.  But as I recall her crazy joy for life and adventure, I smile too.

The biggest and brightest stars do indeed lose their light the earliest.  

May her memory be a blessing.

Laura was a dear and kind friend.  Always checking in to see how I was doing.  Such a compassionate and thoughtful person.  My life is so much richer for having had her as a friend.  Her memory will forever be a blessing.

Ying and Michael Hooi at an APABA-TB gathering in the fall of 2023.  Her beautiful smile will be missed by us all.

Her APABA-TB family mourns her loss with you.  She was not only an attorney, but a caring kind person with an infectious smile.

Ying was responsible for bringing parents and children of the Tampa Bay Chinese School together with our local judges for a courthouse visit and Q&A session.

Sharon and I are in shock!  We have only just seen this post and had no idea that our dear friend, Ying Gao, had passed away.  We loved her and she often told us that she loved us too.

Ying Gao was incredibly generous.  She was always sending gifts to help us get through Sharon’s multiple hospitalizations and other illnesses.  She had Chinese Food for multiple people sent to my house from Homestead ( a LONG drive) for many weeks when Sharon was last hospitalized and I was at the end of my rope.  She freely gave me information on request about Elder Law and Guardianship Law.

She was so kind and effusive over how much fun she had at our LPBA “Loco in Cocoa” Winter Conference.  She took great pride in being the first Chinese pilot, flying a Chinese aircraft, to land on the Shuttle Landing Facility in Cape Canaveral.

We will miss her in so many ways.  Her smile, her humor, her kindness, her generosity, her intellect, her curiosity, her femininity, her exotic internationalism, and so much more!  I will post photos as soon as I can.

To her family in China:  please accept our most sincere condolences on this tragic loss.  Your Ying Gao was a magnificent human being.  All of us in the Lawyer Pilots Bar Association were so happy that she and Matt had chosen to join or organization and to become so active, both as members and as good friends.  We mourn her loss and pray for her peace in the afterlife.  We pray that any pain she was having has been relieved and that her soul is free and happy, soaring with the eagles with the freedom of not requiring an aircraft.

We love you Ying Gao.  We will miss you terribly.

My heart breaks that this beautiful soul has been taken from us way too early. She was the sweetest person I’ve ever met and my life will be less without her. Her encouragement and love helped me through issues when nothing else did. May her beautiful memory continue to shine and touch us all.

I met this remarkable young lady when I worked as an administrator at the Law School where she earned her law degree. I thought she was one of the most remarkable people I have ever met. I am grateful I knew this joyful,Kind, generous, empathetic, loving and wonderful person. I am so sorry for her familie loss and for Matthew’s grief.
Frank Klim

Bun, I’ll miss you and love you forever.

When we went on that first bike ride, I had no idea you were my soulmate.

From the ‘one bar distance rule’ (had to keep the airplane towbar between us during preflight or it’d never get done, to your constant worry (‘What if we run out of things to talk about?’) that became a joke after 16 years; You’ve profoundly changed me and I’m a better person for having shared life with you (as are many others).

OBITUARY

'Laura' Ying Gao

November 16, 1979 – February 28, 2024

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