Obituary of Laura L. Kohl

Laura L. Kohl (Garcia), 74, passed away peacefully on January 21^st at the Jerome Home after a long battle with dementia. Laura was born in New Britain, CT to the late Joseph and Angelina Garcia. She was a 1969 graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas, where she met her husband and many cherished friends who remained an important part of her life. After attending CCSU, she worked at Keeney Manufacturing in Newington. Following the birth of her first child, Laura dedicated the next 15 years to raising her three daughters as a stay-at-home mom. She later returned to the workforce as a school and office aide in Berlin. In retirement, she spent several years volunteering in the parish office of St. Paul’s Church in Kensington. Laura and her husband were also longtime members of Shuttle Meadow Country Club. 

If you met Laura, you loved her. She had a warm, welcoming, and loving presence. Even in her final months in assisted living, her caretakers were captivated by her kindness and wished they had known her in earlier years. Laura was friendly, loving, loyal, hardworking, classy, and fashionable—beautiful both inside and out. She was a devoted wife, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and aunt, never missing an event that involved her daughters or grandchildren.

Laura was married to the love of her life, Bill, for 51 wonderful years. Together, they raised their daughters in Berlin, CT where they built many lasting friendships. They loved to travel and enjoyed exploring new places together. Since the birth of her grandchildren, Laura cherished many memorable family vacations.  Her favorite destination being Hilton Head, where she and Bill celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary surrounded by over thirty family members and friends. For Laura, the location was never as important as the company of her loved ones.

Laura is survived by her loving husband, Bill; daughters Kristen Mascis (Brian), Jennifer Jambard (Scott), and Amy Klebart (Tom); and six adored grandchildren, Janelle and Carleigh Mascis, Tyler and Peyton Jambard, and Will and Lucas Klebart. She was predeceased by her brother, Alexander Garcia, and her sister-in-law, Peggy McGuire. Laura also leaves behind her brother-in-law Terry McGuire, niece Kerri Cross, lifelong friends Mark and Annalee McGuire, and many beloved cousins.

Friends and family are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday January 27^th at 10:00 AM at St. Paul’s Church 485 Alling St. Kensington.  Burial will follow in at St. Mary’s Cemetery in New Britain. Friends may call at Farrell Funeral Home on Sunday, January 26^th from 3 to 6 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Laura’s name to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (www.theaftd.org). The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff of Arbor Rose and the Jerome Home for their compassionate care over the past few months, as well as to hospice nurses Iris, Sharon and Karen for their efforts to comfort Laura in her final days.