2012 LVAC Board of Directors

(Left to Right, front row) Assistant Captain Annie Petronis, Board Member Nancy Musich, and Vice President Ann Hirsch

(Back row) Captain Bob Stoddard, Treasurer Sue Herzog, Secretary Phyllis Fletcher, and President Jim Reilly

Laurie Gagliardi

(1951-2011)

In Loving Memory

 

 

"Memories of Laurie" by Karen Barber

 

It is so difficult to put into a few minutes of words just how much Laurie meant to all her family, friends, co-workers, and townspeople gathered here today to celebrate her life.

Laurie touched so many lives, and we are all so privileged to have had her touch ours.

Many people, when they spoke of Laurie, called her "little Laurie" because physically Laurie was little. Short of stature as one person put it, she had little hands and little feet and delighted in all sorts of little things. I remember all our birthday celebrations and holidays throughout the almost 20 years I knew Laurie. She would always say to me, "I got you a little something for your birthday "or whatever occasion it was. If someone else said those words, it would mean they spent a few dollars on your gift, but Laurie actually meant she got you something tiny in size, a little treasure. Many of us at LVAC have windowsills lined with wonderful little treasures: a tiny wooden box with a heart inside, a tiny birdhouse that opens up to reveal tiny eggs inside a tiny nest, little angels to look over us, or all sorts of tiny dog figurines that Laurie was always able to find that looked just like your pet.

Laurie loved all creatures, even the tiniest ones. If we found an insect or spider at LVAC, she would not let anyone step on it. It had to be carefully lifted and carried outside to be set free.

Sue Lineen remembers that for many years we've had a big turtle that lays her eggs right out in front of LVAC in the garden bed right by the flagpole. Many years we'd be lucky enough to witness the hatching of dozens of these tiny creatures. Laurie would be down at LVAC a.s.a.p., setting up orange cones to divert traffic and ensure the safety of the babies as they worked their way across the driveway and down to the reservoir.

But there was also a lot about Laurie that wasn't little.

Laurie's love for her family, especially her children, Nick and Chrissy, was enormous. They were the center of her universe. I feel as if I knew then so well because Laurie always spoke about them, and shared their stories with me. Through all the ups and downs, she suffered their hurts and disappointments and felt tremendous joy in their many accomplishments. She was thrilled that Chrissy recently got married, and so happy about where both Nick and Chrissy were in their lives. The wonderful and special people they are today is a true testament to Laurie's caring and love.

Laurie also loved her home and loved working in her gardens, and of course, her huge devotion to her huge dogs, German Shepherds. I remember as far back as George, who I was terrified of, and now it is sweet Jackie that she leaves behind.

Laurie also had an enormous impact on her co-workers and all the folks who came into the post office, whose day she brightened with her cheerfulness and pleasure in helping them. She truly cared about all of them, and they knew it and loved her for it. I'd hear all about their children and grandchildren, who was away at which college, who had a new job, and also about all the pets that Laurie knew and loved and who came into the post office to see her each day. Ted and Janice Strauss remember how the dogs would be welcomed in the lobby. The smaller ones would come to the door to the back office and whimper, and the larger ones, like the big yellow lab and the golden retriever, would stand up on their hind legs and put their paws up on the counter. They all knew the exact place to stand to get their treat from Laurie, and they knew it was coming, because, as in all the other areas of her life, Laurie never failed to deliver.

Laurie was my dear friend and it was my joy to know her and a privilege to serve alongside her as part of LVAC these past 19 years. Laurie was caring and intelligent and hugely humble. I had the good fortune to serve as Laurie's assistant captain before she moved to Dover Plains around 12 years ago, and she was an outstanding leader. After moving out of Lewisboro, she was given life member status, only the 12th person ever to receive that honor in LVAC's history. She continued to come back to LVAC to ride as part of the Friday overnight crew- that's 6PM 'til Saturday morning, as a driver of the ambulance, and she maintained all of her close friendships for all of this time. Right after work every Friday, she would come and stay over at LVAC, and she'd call me each week after she'd settled in and we'd catch up on everything in our lives.

Bob Stoddard remembers all the Friday night calls he rode with Laurie and Wendell Vlachos. Laurie would fall asleep in front of the TV at around 9:00 and then many times there'd be a call in the evening around 10 or 11, and after that call if she got back to sleep, many times there'd be a second call at 2 or 3, before she reported back to work Saturday morning.

So many folks in Lewisboro received her wonderful care throughout her 25 years with LVAC. Likely some of you are sitting here today.

Laurie made me a better person. I know everyone here also has special memories of Laurie. The spectacular photo of Laurie that Jim Reilly took captures for many of us the essence of Laurie and how we will remember her. Her great smile, the twinkle in her eye, the tee shirt with the picture of a dog, and her favorite heart shaped pendant with a German Shepherd inside.

Lynda Crowley said," Laurie leaves behind a big, big hole."

Laurie- you will be missed tremendously, but I know you will live on forever in our hearts and memories.

Godspeed Laurie