Laura McNaughton May 13, 1959 - November 2, 2017
Our beloved Laura let go the mortal coil peacefully, and with vigilant friends at hand, after a life well-lived. She touched many lives and changed the world. Laura leaves behind a boundless legacy of kindness, inspiration, and good works. She was, and will continue to be, a spirited force of nature and grace. She will be greatly missed by her many friends through the decades and extended family across the U.S., bonds which were deepened with the help of social media.
Laura Gail McNaughton, born in NY and raised in Montclair, NJ, graduated from Clark University (’81) and received her Masters in Community Economic Development from Southern New Hampshire University. Early in her career she worked for progressive political and environmental organizations, at Worcester Fair Share, Conservation Services Group, and Fundamental Action to Conserve Energy of Fitchburg. From 1990 through early retirement in 2009, the residential energy efficiency and conservation programs flourished because of her skill, talent and dedication. A life-time member of the Regional Environmental Council’s Board of Directors, she played many roles including President and Treasurer. She was honored at the REC Gala just two weeks ago and was thrilled to be able to attend. A past President of Affordable Comfort, Inc. she lead this national organization in the promotion of best practices for residential energy efficiency. She also served on the Board of the Northeast Energy Partnerships, Inc. Laura helped organize REC’s first Earth Day Festival and city-wide cleanups (1990), and created the initial partnership between REC and National Grid for this annual event which continues to this day.
For the past 25 years Laura delighted in her view of Lake Quinsigamond. She and her animal companions, friends and colleagues, gratefully shared the gifts of the natural world here, as well as in Provincetown, Vermont and many exciting trips all over the world. She enjoyed books, movies, hiking and practicing yoga. Since her retirement in 2009, she fostered litters of kittens, sang with the Post Road Chorus (a sweet Adelines group in Worcester), and was happy to be an active member of the Encore group at the Worcester YWCA and The Healing Garden. It brought Laura great satisfaction to help other women dealing with breast cancer. She continued her activism by demonstrating, lobbying, and funding of many causes in alignment with her brilliant view of an increasingly better world for all beings.
An additional silver lining of her early retirement, Laura felt very fortunate for the time it allowed her to visit with and care for her mother, Millicent Colwell McNaughton, until her passing in 2014. Subsequently, Laura was glad for the company of Chelsea and Christopher DeProfio in her home on the lake.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 18 at the First Unitarian Church on Main St. in Worcester at 3:30pm. A reception will follow in the hall. Ever generous, she donated her body for research and education to UMASS Medical School. If you wish to make a donation in honor of Laura please consider Regional Environmental Council, P.O.Box 255, Worcester 01613, and METAvivor, a national group for the study of Metastatic Breast Cancer, 1783 Forest Dr. #184 Annapolis, MD 21401.
Alfred Roy & Sons Funeral Home 12 Hammond St. is assisting the family with arrangements. To share a memory of Laura or to sign the online guestbook, please visit www.Royfuneral.com