Laurel Less Moran

Laurel Less Moran passed away peacefully after a long illness on October 10, 2025, at her home in Lake Saint Louis, Missouri, with family and friends at her side. Laurel was born in New York City on August 10, 1940, the second child of William L. Less and Miriam Whittemore Less. Her older brother, the inimitable John "Honey Bear" Less, predeceased her in 1997. Laurel and her brother John spent their childhoods swimming the lakes and scouting the woods of the small hamlet of Carmel, New York, sixty miles north of Manhattan. Laurel graduated high school at Saint Mary's School in New York and attended University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Laurel was especially athletic and developed a keen interest in all things equestrian. She devoted herself to the sport and the horses she loved and from her earliest days in the saddle, Laurel pursued excellence with grace, discipline, and fierce determination. She achieved much success as a rider and horsewoman, and traveled the country competing in Hunter Jumper, Dressage and Eventing at the highest levels. She was also very active in the Bridlespur Hunt Club, serving as the club's "whipper-in."

Laurel married Thomas C. Hullverson in 1966 and they began their life together in St. Louis, Missouri. Laurel and Tom raised two children, John E. Hullverson and Julie Hullverson Barnato, and Laurel made sure their childhoods were filled with animals, the outdoors, barn chores, swim team practice and all sorts of adventure.

Laurel and Tom divorced amicably in 1982 and Laurel later married John J. Moran, a kind and soft-spoken Irishman with tremendous wit, humor and patience. He and Laurel moved to an historic country farmhouse in Louisiana, Missouri, where they rode horses, played golf and enjoyed the solitude of country life. Laurel became a certified Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), volunteering her time to give voice to children within the court system in Hannibal, Missouri. John and Laurel moved back to Lake St. Louis in 2012 when John developed cancer; he passed away in 2014.

Laurel was ever a fiercely competitive person and rarely passed up a physical challenge. She arm-wrestled cowboys, fox hunted on horseback in Ireland and occasionally filled in for a missing swimmer in the 18 & older swim meet relays at Sunset Country Club in the 1970's. In her sixties, Laurel began competing in Masters swimming and earned multiple national records in several strokes. She shared her passion for swimming as a volunteer coach for the local YMCA and she most enjoyed teaching blind and disabled swimmers and helping them achieve their full potential in the water. Laurel claimed her proudest athletic achievement, though, was swimming the frigid and choppy waters from Alcatraz Island to San Francisco with her son John in the Escape from Alcatraz race in 2002 at the age of 62. She finished first in her age group, of which she was the only member.

Laurel is survived by her two children, John Hullverson and Julie Hullverson Barnato, her two grandchildren Frances Barnato and Thomas "Harry" Barnato, her nephews William B. Less and John L. Less, niece Caroline C. Less and sister-in-law Carole B. Less.

Throughout her life and until the end, Laurel was deeply honored by the steadfast support and companionship of wonderful friends, including especially Jane, Catherine and Pat, Debbie, Sally, Barb, Theresa and many other cherished friends and neighbors who offered selfless acts and kindness to Laurel over the years. In her final months of home hospice care, Laurel drew immeasurable comfort from the truly angelic home health aides Krisha, Christina, LaSha, Maggie, Sarah, hospice nurse Jessica and others who gave so much of themselves to help make Laurel's final months comfortable, joyful and full of love.

In keeping with Laurel's wishes, there will be no services. Those who wish to honor her memory may do so by making a donation to an animal nonprofit of their choice. Laurel would be deeply touched to know that others continue to support and protect the animals she cared so much about.