Laura McNaughton

May 13, 1959

November 2, 2017

Worcester - Our beloved Laura let go the mortal coil peacefully, and with vigilant friends at hand, after a life well-lived. She touched many lives and changed the world. Laura leaves behind a boundless legacy of kindness, inspiration, and good works. She was, and will continue to be, a spirited force of nature and grace. She will be greatly missed by her many friends through the decades and extended family across the U.S., bonds which were deepened with the help of social media.

Laura Gail McNaughton, born in NY and raised in Montclair, NJ, graduated from Clark University ('81) and received her Masters in Community Economic Development from Southern New Hampshire University. Early in her career she worked for progressive political and environmental organizations, at Worcester Fair Share, Conservation Services Group, and Fundamental Action to Conserve Energy of Fitchburg. From 1990 through early retirement in 2009, the residential energy efficiency and conservation programs flourished because of her skill, talent and dedication. A life-time member of the Regional Environmental Council's Board of Directors, she played many roles including President and Treasurer. She was honored at the REC Gala just two weeks ago and was thrilled to be able to attend. A past President of Affordable Comfort, Inc. she lead this national organization in the promotion of best practices for residential energy efficiency. She also served on the Board of the Northeast Energy Partnerships, Inc. Laura helped organize REC's first Earth Day Festival and city-wide cleanups (1990), and created the initial partnership between REC and National Grid for this annual event which continues to this day.

For the past 25 years Laura delighted in her view of Lake Quinsigamond. She and her animal companions, friends and colleagues, gratefully shared the gifts of the natural world here, as well as in Provincetown, Vermont and many exciting trips all over the world. She enjoyed books, movies, hiking and practicing yoga. Since her retirement in 2009, she fostered litters of kittens, sang with the Post Road Chorus (a sweet Adelines group in Worcester), and was happy to be an active member of the Encore group at the Worcester YWCA and The Healing Garden. It brought Laura great satisfaction to help other women dealing with breast cancer. She continued her activism by demonstrating, lobbying, and funding of many causes in alignment with her brilliant view of an increasingly better world for all beings.

An additional silver lining of her early retirement, Laura felt very fortunate for the time it allowed her to visit with and care for her mother, Millicent Colwell McNaughton, until her passing in 2014. Subsequently, Laura was glad for the company of Chelsea and Christopher DeProfio in her home on the lake.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 18 at the First Unitarian Church on Main St. in Worcester at 3:30pm. A reception will follow in the hall. Ever generous, she donated her body for research and education to UMASS Medical School. If you wish to make a donation in honor of Laura please consider Regional Environmental Council, P.O.Box 255, Worcester 01613, and METAvivor, a national group for the study of Metastatic Breast Cancer, 1783 Forest Dr. #184 Annapolis, MD 21401.

Alfred Roy & Sons Funeral Home 12 Hammond St. is assisting the family with arrangements. To share a memory of Laura or to sign the online guestbook, please visit

www.Royfuneral.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Worcester Telegram & Gazette from Nov. 4 to Nov. 5, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Laura McNaughton

Sponsored by Alfred Roy & Sons Funeral Home and Cremation Service - Worcester.

14 Entries

Sarah DiGeronimo

May 14, 2019

Happy 60th Birthday (yesterday) Laura ❤ I think of you so very often and will be forever grateful for the special visits & conversations we shared in your last weeks. You are missed. XO

Lydia Pastuszek

November 20, 2017

Laura - smart, hard worker, dedicated, cat and water lover - I worked with Laura for many years at National Grid. She was always dedicated to the mission of her work in the early days of the energy conservation movement. She sometimes rebelled against the corporate ways of getting things done, but would vent and then move on! I'm so glad that she did so many things despite her illness. Clearly, she carried the tenacity she showed me at work into her personal life as well. Her memorial service certainly captured her many excellent qualities, and the warmth of friendships. Over the years, I have always thought of her whenever I cross Lake Quinsigamond - whether on the Rt. 290 or the Rt. 9 bridge. We both shared a love of the peacefulness and renewal of water in nature as well as having both been Clarkies but at different times. I suppose I will continue to think of her whenever I cross those bridges! She will be missed but not forgotten.

November 18, 2017

I will always remember
Laura as a kind, thoughtful person who
was always ready to help a friend or stranger
in need. She will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.

MichaelCasey North Brookfield

Renee Colwell

November 14, 2017

I am so glad I got to spend a little time with her in her last months. She was an amazing person. (Renee - cousin)

Lisa Tallet

November 9, 2017

I'm so sad to learn of Laura's passing. I worked with Laura for a short time and was so inspired by her. I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to know her and appreciate the wonderful mark she left on this world.

Linda Dorf

November 8, 2017

Laura was a friend who brightened my life for many years. She truly made the world a better place. She will be missed by many.

Bill Stanwood

November 6, 2017

Laura was a dynamic, powerful woman setting precedent and policy in the innovative stages of energy conservation as FACE Director. Her optimism and perseverance helped knit "negawatts" into national impact.

Nancy Hawkins

November 6, 2017

Condolences for the loss of this great lady, who was a guiding force for us at ACI and gave of herself in so many ways. I feel fortunate to have known her. She set a great example for us all in her service to the world.

David Connelly Legg

November 6, 2017

When Laura left NGrid in 09, she left a huge hole in our hearts and in leadership for residential efficiency programs which she brought to new heights of performance, collaboration and compassion. Her kindness and vision showed especially in decades of advancement in progressive programs to serve the energy needs of low income communities in partnership with community action agencies, utilities and advocates in MA, NY, NH and RI and beyond. She inspires all who witnessed her accomplishments and her courageous and long fight with cancer.
So very sorry for your loss.

November 5, 2017

We met as college freshman and the journey continued for almost 40 more years. Thank you for being with me in that journey to fight for social, economic and environmental justice. Thank you for all you gave back to the community and the causes you held dear. Thank you for the laughter, love and light you brought to my life. I will never forget your smile and sense of purpose.

Ginny MacDonald

November 5, 2017

I went to Yoga with Laura and her smile could light up the room. So very sorry for your loss , I hope your memories give you great comfort .<3

Miriam White

November 5, 2017

Kind, compassionate, selfless, generous...the list goes on. Not enough words to describe this bright soul. You will be remembered forever Laura, by all the lives you've touched.

November 5, 2017

Although I had not had the pleasure of knowing Ms. McNaughton, after reading of her accomplishments, and good deeds, I know that the world is a better place because of her life.
My Sincere condolences.

YuhRong Tsay

November 5, 2017

She has great smile and genuine!

Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results