Elizabeth M. Laws

On the 28th of December Elizabeth Minck Laws, (Libby) left this earth for her heavenly reward. She came into this world at Danbury Hospital on August 7, 1920 as the first child of Charles and Mary (Kelley) Minck. As the eldest of the seven Minck children she was a great help to her parents. After graduating from Danbury High School in 1938 as the class salutatorian she enrolled in Danbury Teachers’ College. While student teaching she met the love of her life—Warren P. Laws. Like so many of her generation the Second World War interrupted the young couple’s plans. After Warren returned from combat duty in Europe they were married on April 8, 1944 in Danbury. For the next 19 years she served her country as a military wife living in San Antonio, Texas, Columbus, Mississippi, Belleville, Illinois, Ithaca, New York, Stephenville, Newfoundland, Kettering, Ohio, Wiesbaden, Germany, Wethersfield, England and Marysville, California. Upon Warren’s retirement from the Air Force in 1963 she and her family moved to Danbury and then New Fairfield. She taught at Roberts Avenue School and Pembroke Elementary School. Retiring in 1990 she continued evaluating student teachers as an Adjunct Professor for Western Connecticut State University. A devout Catholic, she was a paragon of Christian virtues. She was also a faithful member of St. Edwards the Confessor Parish in New Fairfield and an active member of the Ladies Guild.

Libby or “Dolly” as she was known by the Minck Family is survived by her sister Virginia Moody, brother John Minck and his spouse Mary Ann, sisters-in-law Ellie Minck, Audrey Minck and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is also survived by her son Warren (Porter) and his spouse Elisabeth, her daughter Elizabeth (Lisette) Dawson, Laurie Diamant and her spouse Herbert (Herb), Lynn Durkin and her spouse James (Durk). She also leaves behind to cherish her memory 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Special thanks are extended by her family to caregivers Carol and Isabel and the staffs of Ridgefield Crossings and Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut for the loving care they provided.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30AM on Saturday January 7 at St. Edward the Confessor Church in New Fairfield, Connecticut followed by internment in Mountain View Cemetery in New Fairfield.

In lieu of flowers friends are asked to donate to the Elizabeth Laws Book Fund, Pembroke School, 34 ½ Pembroke Rd. Danbury, CT 06811. Checks should be made out to Pembroke School with “Elizabeth M. Laws Book Fund” on the memo line.