Laura Joan Wade

Laura was born on January 20, 1963 to Peter and Joan Wade in Chappaqua, New York and grew up there and in nearby Pawling before entering Georgetown University. Laura graduated from Georgetown in 1985 with a B.S. degree in nursing and began her career working in Pediatric Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in Manhattan. She would go on to serve in private medical practices and as a school nurse in the Madison, Wisconsin Metropolitan School District. She relocated to Connecticut in 2021 and served as nursing supervisor for the Lyme-Old Lyme School District there. Laura always brought her skill, humor, empathy and above all her personal loving touch to her work, for which she was cherished and admired by patients and colleagues alike.

Laura is predeceased by her parents, Peter and Joan. She is survived by her husband Mike OrRico, her children Mary Kate, Emma and Tommy, her brothers Kevin, David and Tim, sister Jennifer, and their spouses Sasha, Julie, Janine and Joe. Also missing our dear Laura are Mike’s children Jillian and Nick, as well as her many nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and nephews.

Laura’s life of service was remarkable, but hardly her whole story. She was also an inveterate marathon runner, successfully completing the Boston Marathon, among others. She loved to paint and decorate and had an effortless style all her own. Laura was an enthusiastic world traveler and a wise, loving, and trusted friend in her many circles. And perhaps most memorably, she was a daily dose of sly delight as wife, mother, sister and aunt.

Her loss is immeasurable, but her memory is our great blessing.

A Public Visitation will be held on Monday, August 25, at the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street, Centerbrook, CT 06409, from 9:00 to 10:30 AM. A Funeral Mass will follow at the St. Mark Catholic Church, 222 McVeagh Road, Westbrook, CT 06498, at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Laura’s name to The ALS Association (als.org).