NAVY PILOT MOURNED 'WARRIOR ... NEVER FORGOT THAT SHE WAS A LADY'.

Byline: EUGENE TONG

Staff Writer

When Laura Berwager Mankey's future mother-in-law wanted to learn more about the woman her son was planning to marry, she went straight to the top -- to her commanding officer in the Navy.

"She was a warrior, but she never forgot that she was a lady," Geri Mankey said, recalling the commanding officer's words as she addressed about 200 mourners Saturday at a memorial service for the 26-year-old Navy pilot killed in a training mission off the coast of San Diego.

"How many mothers-in-law can say their daughter-in-law is actually perfect? ... Laura continues to live with me every day, reminding me always to be more of a lady and more of a warrior, to do everything with more enthusiasm, more courage and selflessness and love."

Lt. j.g. Mankey was killed Jan.26 along with three other sailors when their MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter crashed into the Pacific Ocean during a routine training flight near San Clemente Island. The cause is under investigation.

Mankey was born Laura Jean Berwager in Canoga Park and grew up in West Hills. She was a gregarious kid who spent 13 years in Girl Scouts and was voted Miss Popularity at Canoga Park High School, who joined the Navy to fulfill her dreams of flight but still baked cookies for her fellow officers.

Gina Gerber recalled her sister's hair, which she would style when they were younger.

"As an adult, she loved helmet hair," she said. "It would have shown that she had flown."

Laura also was deeply spiritual. Whenever she transferred to a new town, one of the first things she did was look for a local church, said the Rev. Eric Thomas, who recalled meeting Laura when she was just 5days old.

"Holding her here and praying to God that she would follow the right path, I believed from that fateful day that Jesus preceded her," said Thomas of Christ Community Church in Winnetka, where the service was held.

Laura's husband, Navy Lt. Jeff Mankey, cried but also laughed Saturday as he recalled his wife's sunny disposition. Not even a rainstorm could ruin the good times during the couple's recent Fourth of July picnic.

"Oh my gosh, we could have a picnic on the living room floor," he said, recalling his wife's reaction when the day's sun turned into a downpour. "She was willing to try anything."

Though their assignments often separated them, their hearts were never far apart.

"We fell asleep on the phone, then (would) wake up and still be connected," Mankey said.

Brother Gene Berwager called his sister a friend and his hero.

"Laura was really an achiever," he said. "She achieved everything that she set out to do. Everything that she did in life was for the good of others."

At her wedding, Gene Berwager recalled dropping his tough older-brother persona to dance with his sister.

"Did you know that you're holding me?" he recalled asking her the moment they hit the dance floor. "You never held me before."

The siblings did manage to make up for lapsed hugs, and Gene offered advice for others.

"Make sure you give 'em hugs," he said. "You never know if it is going to be your last one."

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4 photos

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(1) Navy Lt. Jeff Mankey holds the U.S. flag that was draped over the coffin of his wife, Lt. j.g. Laura Berwager Mankey, as her mother, Lillian Berwager, and sister Jennifer Parker embrace during a funeral for the Navy pilot on Saturday.

(2 -- 3) Lt. j.g. Laura Berwager Mankey died Jan.26 with three others when their helicopter crashed into the Pacific Ocean during a routine training flight near San Clemente Island.

(4) Navy sailors salute during the playing of taps for the fallen Lt.j.g. Laura Berwager Mankey at her funeral Saturday at Oakwood Memorial Park in Chatsworth.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer