Laurel Ann Maritato

Laurie was born December 26, 1958, to Joseph Flanagan and Laurel Deveau in Freeport, NY. Raised in Centereach, NY; Laurie attended Centereach High School and was a member of the graduating class of 1976. On September 21, 1979, Laurie exchanged vows with James “Jim” Maritato in Patchogue, NY. Laurie and Jim would raise their family in Mastic, NY, remaining faithfully married for 46 years!

Laurie was an office manager for Dr. John Celentano at Sound Medical Care in East Moriches, New York. Having worked in the field for a long time, Laurie was often the one to ask for guidance with anything medical for her family and friends. When Dr. Celentano’s private practice and Sound Medical Care merged, Laurie was instrumental in the facilitation of the merger. A dedicated member of the team, Laurie, will be missed by her friends that she made during her time at Sound Medical Care. She will be remembered for making lasting bonds with her coworkers, fostering relationships with them, based on the principles of family and fun. Laurie was the organizer of several workplace events, including their pumpkin party, Irish soda bread contests, and several of their Christmas parties.

Laurie was a nurturer all her life, taking care of family, friends, a menagerie of pets and rescue animals (heavy on the cats!) and infinite plants and flowers. From the time she was young until her very last acts here with us, Laurie’s focus in life was on nurturing those around her. She poured her love and devotion into all she cared about in a way we all should. She used her life to make people feel loved, seen and cared for, and to laugh and appreciate the gifts we've been given. An unbelievable gardener, voracious reader, chocoholic, decorator extraordinaire, pun super-enthusiast and dressed daily in a Life is Good t-shirt, she embodied joy and fun, adding pops of color, laughter and whimsy everywhere she went.

Laurie deserved so much more than what ALS brought her, and though her loved ones miss her physical presence, the memory of her strength, courage and playful spirit will continue to nurture and guide us long after she is gone.

Laurie’s presence will be missed deeply by her husband Jim, her children James “J”. Maritato, and his significant other Leah of Camarillo, California; Bryan Maritato and his wife Theresa of Rocky Point, NY; Kaitlin Nair and her husband Neil of East Norwalk, CT; her grandchildren Willa Nair, Sylvie Nair, Noreen Nair, and Evander Nair all of East Norwalk, CT; and two granddogs Diesel and Rosie.

Laurie will also be missed by her sister Jean Vernagallo of Centereach, NY; two brothers Dane DeVeau Ely, Nevada; and Darren DeVeau of St. George, Utah; and Linda DeVeau, of Sandia Park, New Mexico. Laurie was predeceased by her parents, and her stepfather Adrian DeVeau.

A celebration of Laurie’s life will be held by the family in late spring, on Long Island. Further details will be provided by the family at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations for those who wish, may be made to the Susie Foundation https://secure.givelively.org/donate/the-susie-foundation, Compassionate Care of ALS https://ccals.org/donate/?donateto=14338 ,or the ALS Foundation https://www.als.org/?form=general&s_src=donatebutton.

The family also would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Together Homecare, and Home Healthcare, Hospice and Community Services for their compassionate care of Laurie and many other patients with ALS, as well as the tireless work they do in attempting to understand and defeat this disease.