Lauren Starcher

Lauren Page Starcher, 64, of Morgantown, passed away on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at her home with her sister and children by her side after a six-year tango with hepatocellular carcinoma. She was born on November 6, 1961, to Diane Louise Whatmough and Charles Garrett Starcher in Webster Springs, West Virginia.

An ‘86 graduate of the West Virginia University School of Pharmacy (and before that, a graduate of the Webster County High School Class of 1980 and founding member of the VMB Society), she was a devoted Mountaineers fan and loved watching her “boys” while snacking on a bag of Ruffles and Heluva Good French Onion dip, which she believed was necessary for a Mountaineer win (even when they didn’t). An animal lover, her house was always packed with a variety of critters, including dogs, cats, and fish. Outside her home, she loved chickens, ducks, turkeys, goats, various reptiles and the occasional human.

A gregarious woman, she could make friends wherever she went – from work, around the neighborhood, the masseuse, at the pet store, or the veterinarian. Given her love of true crime and serial killer shows, she would likely be disappointed that her untimely death wasn’t the result of suspicious circumstances. She loved classic rock, an ugly lamp, and collecting random doll body parts. You could almost always find her at home on the couch with a cat (or two, or three) on her lap. The title of ‘cool mom’ was well-earned and she was well-liked enough as an aunt to have a great-niece named after her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Curt; her friend, Ona Dingess; and dozens of beloved pets she had throughout her life. She is survived by her daughters, Aden Page Leasor and Brenna Jade Leasor, and Brenna’s husband, Abhis Sedhai; her partner, Jim Gray; her siblings, Eric Starcher and his partner, Charlene Skidmore, Mark Starcher and his wife, Louise Starcher, and Stacey Starcher and her husband, Robert Carlson; her many nieces and nephews; her “son,” Kyle VanName; her dogs, Jack and Alice; her cats, Liam, Maurice, Kristoff, and Simi; and unfortunately, many of her enemies, who will go unnamed but know who they are.

Friends and family are invited to attend a Celebration of Life that will be held at a later date. As per her wishes, Lauren’s body was donated to support the education of future Health Sciences students at West Virginia University. In lieu of flowers or even more doll body parts, Lauren’s family is accepting donations to support local animal charities and help pet owners who cannot afford veterinary care. Donations can be directed to bit.ly/3XH84sC.