Laura Michelle Wade

Laura Michelle Schwarz Wade was born on June 8, 1979, at K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base to Hildelisa (Lilyn) Castillo Schwarz and Guillermo (Mito) Rafael Schwarz Mir. Shortly after her birth, the family returned to their native Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, where Laura grew up and developed a lifelong love for her island home.

Laura was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved grandparents: Estanislao Castillo (Papa Fran), Concepción Rodríguez (Mama Concha), William Schwarz, and María Teresa Mir.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Sean; her daughters, Emma, Piper, and Mila; and her brothers, Billy Schwarz (Aurie Marie), José Schwarz (Selena), and Carlos Schwarz (Maria). She adored her many nieces and nephews—Guillermo, Mia, Alex, Joey, Isabella, Sophia, Estela, Ariela, Braxton, Vivi, Logan, Rachel, Mari, Nora, and Landon—each of whom held a special place in her heart. Laura is also deeply loved by countless cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, and extended family across the globe.

Laura’s journey was anything but typical. A Puerto Rican born in Michigan to an Air Force pilot father, she was raised in a suburb of San Juan and loved her island fiercely. She moved to New York for college, where she faced the profound loss of both of her parents. In the midst of unimaginable grief, Laura demonstrated remarkable strength, embracing her extended family wholeheartedly and carrying their love with her for the rest of her life.

After graduating from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, she traveled through Europe, where she met someone who would become one of her dearest lifelong friends. On faith and courage—sight unseen—Laura moved to Dayton, Ohio, to pursue a master’s degree in Civil Engineering and to live with that friend.

Laura dedicated her entire professional career as a civilian engineer at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Civil Engineering. She began as an entry-level engineer and steadily advanced through programming into what became her true passion: community planning. She earned two master’s degrees—one in Civil Engineering and another in Community Planning. As a GIS mapping specialist, she poured her heart and soul into her work, serving both her country and her community with excellence and integrity.

As fate would have it, Laura met the love of her life, Sean, through a church small group in Dayton and as teammates on a co-ed summer softball team. They began dating, and in 2010, Sean proposed during the Fourth of July fireworks celebration, surrounded by family and friends.

In 2011, Laura’s childhood dream came true when she married Sean at the Old Spanish Convent in Old San Juan, walking down the aisle escorted by her three brothers. It was a joyful celebration that no one in attendance will ever forget.

The couple made their home in Beavercreek, Ohio, where they raised their family. Emma was born in 2012, Piper in 2014, and Mila in 2016. Each daughter uniquely different and equally extraordinary, they were Laura’s greatest joy.

Faith anchored Laura’s life. A devoted member of Beavercreek Christian Church, she and Sean raised their family with Jesus at the center. Jesus Christ was her Lord and Savior without question. Laura held a fierce conviction for Christ, spending time reading Scripture and journaling. Before cancer became a constant presence in her life, she volunteered frequently at church and school, faithfully showing up for her girls in every possible way.

She loved being a mom.

Her love for Christ came first, but her love for her daughters was not far behind. You could find her on the sidelines or behind the fence at every sporting event—asking an umpire where that pitch missed or wondering aloud what a referee could possibly have been watching. She was passionate, protective, and determined.

Even during treatment, she refused to miss the moments that mattered. She went on field trips the day after chemotherapy. She played in parent-child games while under doctors’ care. No matter the circumstance, her girls came first. Her fire, her conviction, and her strength live on brightly in each of them.

Laura loved life, and she loved Puerto Rico. It would always be “home.” She jumped at every opportunity to return, spend time with family, and feel the sand between her toes—her happy place. She cherished her friendships, especially her church “lady friends.”

Though often quiet and calm in demeanor, she was also a master prankster. Plastic cockroaches in cereal bowls. Tape stretched across doorways. Startling surprises designed to make you jump and then laugh. She delighted in catching people off guard and sharing the joy of a good scare.

Another secret passion was roller coasters. Living close to Kings Island and watching her girls grow tall enough to ride the biggest coasters brought her immense joy. Even in her later years of treatments and declining health, she climbed into those seats beside her daughters for “just one more ride.” When Mila was finally tall enough to ride them all, there was Laura, strapped in right next to her. In fact, her early interest in civil engineering began with a dream of designing roller coasters one day.

Laura also loved to travel. After college and throughout her marriage to Sean, she explored much of Europe, embracing new cultures, architecture, and history—always curious, always learning.

Laura’s life was marked by courage, conviction, humor, faith, and fierce love. She lived boldly. She loved deeply. And she leaves behind a legacy that will continue to shine through her family and all who were blessed to know her.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at the First Baptist Church of Kettering. Pastor Jon Schaat and Pastor Ed Green officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Zion Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4 pm - 8 pm on Wednesday, February 25 at the Tobias Funeral Home - Beavercreek Chapel. The family encourages donations be made in Laura's memory to Precious Ones Learning Center at Beavercreek Christian Church, 3009 Shakertown Rd, Beavercreek, OH 45434. Tobias Funeral Home, Beavercreek