Laura Beatrice Devine (nee Hotaling), 96, passed peacefully in her sleep on March 6, 2022, at the Newtown nursing home where she had resided for a number of years. She was born May 31, 1925, in Brooklyn, N.Y. She was raised in Valley Stream, N.Y., the daughter of Alfred M. and Beatrice Hotaling.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Howard F. Devine, and a brother, Alfred M. Hotaling, Jr.

Laura is survived by two daughters. Joan D. Cone of Newtown, Conn., and Eileen Devine Gerrish of Rensselaer, N.Y., and her husband, Timothy J. Gerrish. Laura had five grandchildren and two great granddaughters: Alyson Santoro and her husband, Nicholas Nidzieko, of California; Jeff Santoro and his wife, Lee Karlsson, of Vermont; Tracy Cone, Greenwich, Conn., and Jesse Cone of Vermont; and Timothy P. Gerrish, his wife Jill, and their two daughters, of Rensselaer, N.Y.

Laura had a lifelong love of music. She would fondly share stories of her years in the Valley Stream (N.Y.) High School marching band, where she played the oboe and glockenspiel. Grit and determination were integral to Laura’s life. Keen to improve her skills and station, she advanced herself as a secretary to become a bank executive during her years in Westchester, N.Y.

Laura’s talents were many. She was a consummate cook and a detailed seamstress. In her youth, Laura enjoyed swimming and horseback riding. Years later, she found pleasure in golfing, stationary camping, and traveling.

Interment was in Mount Hope Cemetery, Hastings on Hudson, N.Y. Funeral services will be scheduled at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those wishing to remember Laura make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, alz.org; American Cancer Society, cancer.org; or to the charity of their choice.