Laura Ann Schrader, 46, of Newtown died peacefully March 7, at home with her family, after a courageous three-year battle with brain cancer. She was born in Wilmington, Del., on May 1, 1971, daughter of Barbara and David Harlacker.

She moved to Monroe in 1977. She graduated from Masuk High School in 1989 and was in the National Honor Society. Ms Schrader graduated from Lehigh University in 1993 with a degree in engineering and was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She worked professionally at Clairol, Bristol Meyers Squibb, and Dade Behring. She earned her MBA degree from the University of Connecticut in 2001.

A devoted mother, Ms Schrader left her business career to raise her children. She became a certified yoga instructor in 2003 after completing the 200-hour certification program from Kripalu. She founded her own yoga business and successfully balanced her family life and yoga business.

Ms Schrader was a loving wife and mother who always enjoyed spending time with family. She enjoyed 20 wonderful years of marriage to her high school sweetheart, Tom. Her beloved children Mitchell, age 14, and Ashley, age 11, were her passion; and she supported them with all their activities.

She enjoyed many activities of her own, including yoga, walking, skiing, gardening, and hosting book clubs.

In addition to her husband, two children, and parents, her brother, Steven Harlacker, and his wife Amy; her aunt and Godmother, Diane Sisk, and her family, survive her. Ms Schrader enjoyed being an aunt to many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the "Mitchell and Ashley Schrader Education Fund," C/O Tom Schrader, 46 Hoseye Coach Road, Sandy Hook CT 06482.

Friends may call at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, on Tuesday, March 13, from 4 to 7 pm.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated in St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown, on Wednesday, March 14, at 11 am. Interment in St Rose Cemetery, Newtown, will take place privately later in the spring.