Laura Claire Duchamp passed on Tuesday, April 2nd following a short fight with cancer. She was 74 years old.
Laura lived a full life, growing up in Woodstock, New York, then spending most of her years in New York, France, and Georgia. She is part of the trio of Leavy sisters, attending Onteora High School before setting off to explore the world.
In her early years Laura was a track and basketball athlete before setting her sights on fashion. Plans changed when she met Alain, a Frenchman, while visiting New York City. Their courtship led to a wedding in Kingston, NY – then an adventure in Europe. She gave birth to Damien in Paris and they lived in the South of France for a few years before returning to the U.S.In the 80s and early 90s she would pursue an art history degree and raise Damien, all the while continuing to draw and paint. After losing her mother Clarice, Laura stayed a few more years in Woodstock and adopted her niece Teresa. After Tee and Damien were off to college and starting their own adult lives, Laura went to Miami, Florida. She eventually landed in Savannah, Georgia where she would live most of the last twenty years.
As she would live her final years in Savannah, Georgia, she was known locally as “Ms. Laura.” She would spend her days in the garden enjoying a good book and the visiting birds, and her evenings watching a mystery movie with Phantom, Sweetpea and Baby – her cats through the years. She was always an artist, painting the beautiful things from her yard and memories.
Laura’s spirit lives on through her son Damien, daughter Teresa, nephew Lucas, sister Holly, grand-niece Matilda and grand-nephew Homer. Laura joins her mother Clarice, sister Trice, nephews Leland and Ezra – who we miss every day.
We will celebrate Laura’s life in Savannah this month, and at the Woodstock Artists Cemetery on May 11 at 3pm. Friends are welcome. This will be a joyous gathering, and not a traditional funeral. In lieu of flowers, a contribution in her memory can be made to the Humane Society of Greater Savannah at www.humanesocietysav.org.
Join the family! 
