Laura Kenny was born to Klaas and Wil Meulmeester, who emigrated from Amsterdam shortly before Laura's birth. She was a lovely, green-eyed little girl who grew up happily with three siblings.
Laura met the love of her life, Tom, when she was 21 and they married in 1976. Tom and Laura embraced each other's cultures, with Tom learning to speak a little Dutch, and Laura visiting Tom's native Ireland many times over the years.
Laura loved children and nothing was more important to her and Tom than their family. When Laura was 26, they had their first child, Ena. Adrian, Nicholas, Celia, Trevor, Peter and Margot arrived one after another, and each new child, with their different personalities, talents and beauty, brought them joy. She often said that although she would not like to experience childbirth for an eighth time, if someone dropped a baby off on her doorstep, she would gladly raise it.
Tom and Laura shared a love of travel and went all over the world together. When Laura proposed yet another weekend getaway or family trip, she would always say, "Don't worry, I'll work a few extra shifts."
In the midst of having seven children, Laura worked full-time as a psychiatric nurse for more than 30 years. She was also at various times heavily involved in the PTA, the hockey league and her church. She was a take-charge type of person, and many friends in times of need benefited from her wisdom and practical support. She had a hilarious sense of humour and was often the centre of fun and laughter. She took pleasure in simple things - a 50-cent hot dog at IKEA, flannel bed sheets, a meal on an airplane, a great deal on a Buffalo shopping trip, hanging laundry in the sunshine.
As Laura entered her early 50s, with four teenagers still at home, she began to show signs of the degenerative brain disease that had taken her father and other family members. She knew what lay ahead and prepared for her journey as she had all others - with bravery and grace. She accepted that her life would not be the same and that she would slowly lose all that she loved sooner than she ever imagined.
Perhaps the greatest testament to Laura's life came in the devotion that friends and family provided in her last few years of life. She was the most visited resident at her long-term care facility, Carefree Lodge, with a steady stream of friends and family coming to help with every meal. Tom and her beloved children carried her until her too-soon and too-long journey was over. What a tribute to a mother to receive such devoted care from her children. Even though she couldn't tell them, in her heart she must have been so proud and must have known that her work was done.
Ena and Adrian Kenny are Laura's children, and Carla Cassidy is Laura's sister.