Laurel was born in Denver, CO, and was raised in western Canada and west Texas. She earned a bachelor's degree at Texas Christian University, where she was a member of Chi Omega sorority, and a PhD degree in social work at The University of Texas at Arlington.
For most of her professional life, Laurel worked in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and finally in Austin as a social worker, for both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. It was her joy, during her career, to build a program that helped paroled felons to rebuild their lives and then, later, to advocate for those children least well-served by the foster care system in Texas and in several other states.
Laurel loved all creatures great and small. And she was dearly loved by friends and family, including her mother, Jane, and father, Paul, who predeceased her. She is survived by her sister, Linda Chaput, her brother, Paul Chaput, sister-in-law Cathy Chaput, brother-in-law, Uri Treisman, by nieces Christina Deal and Molly Bright, by nephews Ben Chaput, Matthew Chaput, and Joseph Hefta, and by her beloved and valiant dog, Bandit.
Funeral services will take place at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, September 26, at St. Mary's Cathedral, 203 East 10th Street in Austin. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Laurel's name to the Austin Humane Society, 124 W Anderson Ln, Austin, TX 78752.
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