Laura ‘Lolly’ Wiede

Laura “Lolly” Wiede passed away Jan. 9 after a long life. She was a self-proclaimed “tough bird,” to which all acquainted can attest. Despite her moxie, she lived through more than most and bore the various scars of tragedy, having buried a child and been widowed prematurely. The greatest joy of Laura’s life was marrying Jack, raising her boys Danny, Tom and David, and watching the new generations come along. Her next greatest joys were undoubtedly her church, her cats, Gone with the Wind, and her treasure-trove of collectibles.

The ultimate irony of Laura’s life is that she built an estate, tucked herself away within it, and spent her later years wishing it was filled more often with family. Grief, of which Laura had her fair share, can be a slippery slope of isolation. When someone passes away we reflect on who they were as a person and what our connection to them means as we forge ahead without them. While the past is immutable and things lost are rarely recovered, we are still here and the future is ours. Mourn, but keep living. Love your kin like you mean it, reach out. Understand everyone’s path is their own. The greatest tribute we can pay to those who have passed is to be happy and fill our homes more often with family.

One of Lolly’s favorite things was hosting her family during the holidays. The holiday season has just passed, and Lolly along with it. As it turns out, she’ll be hosting us one last time.

Laura is survived by her brother James, her sons Thomas and David, her grandchildren Edward, Brianna Marcus, Mary, Eric, Ashley, Jackson, and her great-grandchildren Allyn, Fallon, Lorelei Marcus, Harper, and Milo Marcus. Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Jan. 14 at Thomason Funeral Home.