Laurina D. Gibbs, born May 12, 1973 in Greenfield Massachusetts passed away suddenly on Monday January 29, 2018 in Rhinebeck New York. Laurina grew up in Athol Massachusetts where she participated in various sports programs in her youth and listening to music and trips to the drive-in. She graduated from Athol High School, then earned a Bachelor’s degree in Comparative Literature from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. She went on to work as an editor’s assistant at Maxim Magazine in New York City. Later, also in the city she worked in human resources at the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church and then for United Methodist Women as the project and operations manager for their communications unit. In the big apple Laurina built many lifelong friendships that she cherished very deeply. More recently she had moved to the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York where she worked on the Menla Mountain Retreat Center. It was there that she found great peace and discovered a deep passion for bringing solace into people’s lives. Menla became more than just as job for Laurina, it was an extension of herself. To Menla she was more than just an employee, she was family. After Menla, Laurina began a position in the human resources department at the Omega Institute Rhinebeck New York where she made a deep and growing impact on her coworkers both personally and professionally.
Throughout her life Laurina enjoyed a variety of activities including fencing, meditation, snowboarding, travelling, yoga, gardening, fostering cats, and volunteering in local food pantries.
Laurina devoted her life to her dream of becoming a famous writer and was working on a screen play near the time of her passing.
Closest to her heart was her niece and nephew who she loved both very dearly and thought of constantly.
Laurina is survived by her father LeRoy Gibbs, step mother Kathy Gibbs, mother Julie Gibbs, brothers Patrick and Michael, Nephew Alex Gibbs, Niece Lily Gibbs, Aunts Cynthia Boutelle, Laurina Brighenti, Linda Cole, and Uncle Gary Cole, as well as many wonderful cousins and loving friends. Laurina will be deeply missed and forever loved.
“Be well Laurina on your journey to that place of love unconditional far beyond the stars. You will always be on our minds and in our hearts. We love you endlessly.” — Your Family & Friends
A viewing was held on Sunday February 4th 2018 at Gormley Funeral Home in Phoenicia New York and was followed by cremation.
A Spiritual Celebration will be held for Laurina at the Menla Mountain Retreat Center at 375 Pantherkill Rd in Phoenicia New York 12464 on Saturday February 10th at 10am.
An interment service will also be held for Laurina in Athol in the spring of this year. Details to be determined and publicized at a later date.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made at https://www.nami.org/ in honor of Laurina.