Laura S. Adams

Laura Sophie Adams, 97, passed away peacefully April 11, 2017 after a brief hospitalization at Plainview Hospital. Laura was born in Middletown Connecticut on March 3, 1920 to the late John and Sophia (Sekula) Stachowicz of Poland. She was raised in Middletown with her 7 siblings and afterward lived in Los Angeles, Manhattan and Astoria, Queens NY. With her husband, the late Bob Adams (Commercial Artist and Ceramicist), she raised her family in Plainview, living in the same home for the past 60 years.

Laura is survived by her sister Rita of Brookline, MA, son Michael and his wife Robin Tufts of Greenland, New Hampshire, son Roger and wife Laurie Honn-Adams of Ventura, California, and daughter Maude Ellen of Cutchogue, NY; Maude’s good friend Vanessa Rivera of Wading River, NY and step daughter Judith Craigo-Robb of Denver, CO.

She studied voice and opera, and in the past sang in the St Pius Choir. A dedicated patron of the arts, Laura traveled to the city (even recently) to enjoy theater and opera and was a long-time subscriber of the Roundabout Theater Company. She loved travelling into the city, reminiscing about past haunts, friends and acquaintances.

Laura attended SUNY Old Westbury, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics. SUNY also afforded her the opportunity to exercise her theatrical skills, appearing in plays there as well as in St Pius Parish and community theatrical productions.

She was a past Vice President of the Sjogren’s Syndrome foundation. She was dedicated to growing, supporting and ultimately utilizing the services of POB Cares –advocating for the development of services and support for the elderly and disabled in Plainview Old Bethpage – the very services that allowed her, proudly, to live on her own at home for these many years. She loved the life, opportunity and diversity of Long Island and New York. Her tastes were eclectic and unique – she took pride in her belongings (and their stories) and surroundings (including the yard and garden that brought her great joy).

A longtime supporter (and past vice president of Membership) of the Plainview Old Bethpage Friends of the Library, Laura relished the opportunity to share her enthusiasm for that institution, and anticipated her participation in the Annual Book fare with relish. Always eager to learn and even more importantly to share, Laura initiated several displays at the Library as well as most recently, a special musical event recital; and the presentation and discussion of a Polish author’s childhood WWII recollections.

Proud of her Polish heritage, Laura supported the Polish American Museum in Port Washington, attending events and concerts there. An eager traveler, she visited Italy and England with her husband Bob (flying to London on the SST). Even in her 80’s and 90’s, she toured Poland with her late sister Phyllis, niece Christine (great –nephew Blake) & daughter Maude; to southern Spain with her son Mike, daughter Maude and Vanessa; to England for a barge trip with son Mike, his wife Robin and her parents; as well as visits to Roger and Laurie at their home in California. Dedicated to family, she travelled to Lake Tahoe and her beloved Jackson Hole, Wyoming for family reunions.

Typifying her profound interest in people, and concern for the world around her, Laura maintained an encyclopedic recollection for names, birthdays, anniversaries, and family histories of those around her including family, her beloved and supportive neighbors (both longtime and fresh to the neighborhood); and including in recent years, every doctor, nurse, aide, physician’s assistant and care worker who entered her circle.

Laura’s vibrant and unique energy and spirit, continued curiosity, contributions of care and concern, and enthusiasm for the people and world around her will be dearly missed by family and friends. She truly touched many lives.

We love you Mom.

Dziękuję

Funeral Mass will be at St Pius Church in Plainview on Saturday May 13, 2017 at 10:30 AM. More information is available from Vernon C. Wagner Funeral Home. Details of a memorial reception to immediately follow the service will be announced.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute in Laura’s memory to:

POB Friends of the Library, EAC Network - Meals on Wheels, Polish America Museum (Port Washington), POB Cares, PBS THIRTEEN or WLIW21