Lauren L. O'Neil

BRISTOL – In loving memory of Lauren Lynne Thomas O’Neil: a wonderful woman, mother, sister, and friend. Lauren leaves behind a legacy of kindness, love, and joy.

Born on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 1962 - died Oct. 8, 2023. While those dates are important, the life that Lauren lived in the dash between dates is so much more. Lauren was an avid reader, lover of nature and animals, an ice cream enthusiast, a fantastic gardener, and a child of God. She was a kind friend, a warm mother, and a faithful wife.  Lauren fervently believed in equality for all and treating everyone with kindness. She passed from this earth in light and love, unafraid, and knowing that she is being reunited with the Lord.

Lauren was diagnosed with Bulbar onset Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease) in December of 2020. She fought strongly since her diagnosis to help work toward a cure and help others by participating in research trials, local ALS walks, and giving support and guidance to others facing the same disease.

Lauren was predeceased by her father, Edward Thomas, and is survived by her mother, Phyllis (Higgs) Thomas; husband, Howard John; and her three children, Kyle Ryan, Katie Leigh, and Holly Lynn.  She leaves behind her four brothers and sisters (Chip Thomas, Sharon Misiek, Lisa [Gary] O’Neill, and Christopher [Debbie] Thomas); six grandchildren (Hayden, Samantha, Annabelle, Dana, Rosalie, and baby girl on the way); and her lifelong best friends Rose and Gary Laporta.

Lauren will be incredibly missed in her smile, her laughter, and the joy she brought to her family and friends. No amount of time with Lauren would have been enough, but her family and friends are endlessly thankful for the time they had to experience her kindness, her warmth, her laughter, and her love.

There will be no service, but instead a celebration of life with close friends and family at a later date.  Until then, she asks that her friends and family return her ashes to the earth and spread in all the beautiful places she loved. We ask that in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Massachusetts General Hospital, participating in your local ALS walk each year, or donating to her ALS walk team “Love for Lauren” in Hartford.

Published in the Waterbury Republican-American October 14, 2023

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