Obituary of Laura B. Hesslein

Laura B. Hesslein, 70, died this week after a much longer-than-expected experience of multiple myeloma. For many years she made significant contributions to the lives of others through her work and her personal life. Born in New Jersey, raised in NJ., Michigan and Illinois, Laura settled in Connecticut in 1969. She received her undergraduate degree from Stony Brook University, and Master's degrees from both UConn in Counseling and Smith College in Social Work. A Clinical Social Worker, she directed the Office of Counseling at Connecticut College for many years before practicing privately in Norwich, Willimantic and in towns along the shore. Laura retired from the work she loved and to which she brought unique talents only after her diagnosis. Laura loved travel, participating in gatherings of family and friends, snorkeling, and exploring new areas on this continent and in foreign countries. In her spare time, she enjoyed hostessing at Friends & Co. She was always ready to enjoy her friends, good food, wine, music, the sea and everyone's celebrations. Laura had an eye for art in all it's forms and a knack for giving thoughtful and unique gifts. Laura lived with her cats and a series of wonderful dogs. She had many bird feeders which helped to keep her connected to the beauty of the world around her. She remained concerned about what could devastate, even obliterate that natural life. She is survived by her sister, Janet and brother-in-law, Allen, cousins and aunts and their wonderful children and grandchildren. Laura had an extraordinary gift for friendship and those friends, old and new, old and young, will join her relatives in mourning her death and missing her deeply. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 27, 2017 at 2:00PM at Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek, 55 East Kings Highway in Chester. Burial will follow in Rodfe Zedek Cemetery, Leesville Road in Moodus. No flowers please. If you wish to honor Laura with a contribution in her name please consider The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Avenue, 5th floor, Norwalk, CT 06851 or Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven, P.O. Box 1849, New Haven, CT 06508-9979. To share a memory of Laura or send a condolence to her family please visit www.rwwfh.com . Arrangements by the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.