Cecilia G. "Cissy" Laureys
AGE: 81 • Netcong
Cecilia G. (nee Romano) Laureys, a retired four-term Morris County freeholder and mother of 10 children who was affectionately known as "Cissy" to family, friends and colleagues, died on Sunday, July 7, 2013 at Saint Clare's Hospital in Dover. She was 81. In 1987, Laureys became the first woman ever elected to the Netcong council and was currently in her 25th year of service in that office. Laureys lived her entire life in Netcong where she raised a family of 10 children with her husband of nearly 25 years, Edward V. Laureys, who predeceased her. After receiving a B.A. in History from St. Elizabeth's College in Convent Station in 1952, Laureys taught kindergarten and 5th grade for several years before opting to become a full-time homemaker following the birth of her first child, Edward J., who predeceased her in October. Even as her family grew, Laureys volunteered her time to various nonprofit enterprises. She established a faith-based grassroots organization called "Friends in Service of Humanity," or FISH, that helped to coordinate transportation for the sick, elderly and financially disadvantaged at a time when such services weren't readily provided by local government.
In the 1960s Laureys fourth-born child, Brian, was determined to have nonverbal autism. That diagnosis, which came at a time when very little was known about the condition, led Laureys to become active in giving her time and talent to the Association for Retarded Citizens. Similarly, the need to be very "frugal" in managing a large household inspired Laureys to become an avid proponent of conservation and recycling in the 1970s, long before such practices became official state policy. As a councilwoman, Laureys was named Netcong's first recycling coordinator and went on to establish an award-winning program. In the late 1980s Laureys' worries about the then-freeholder board's intention to build a mass-burn trash incinerator in close proximity to the water supply led her to become a vocal opponent of the plan. This became a major factor in Laureys' decision to run for freeholder, an office she handily won in her first bid for it. During her tenure as freeholder Laureys' championed improvement in county human services.
Laureys is predeceased by two sons, Edward V. and Brian M. Laureys; her husband, Edward V. Laureys, and her siblings, Estelle Guarini and Pasquale Romano Sr. Laureys is survived by four sons, Ken and his wife Liz of Riverdale, MD, Stephen and his wife Lisa of Hackettstown, Thomas of Netcong and Christopher and his wife Barbara of Williamstown, NJ; four daughters, Kathy Clanton and her husband Eric of Portland, OR, Cecilia M. Laureys of Palm Springs, CA, Vincenia Annuzzi and her husband Anthony of Andover Twp., and Margaret Laureys of Netcong; and her brother, Dominick Romano and his wife Kathryn. She is also survived by ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Morgan Funeral Home, 31 Main St., in Netcong. Although Laureys was a parishioner of St. Michael's Church in Netcong, due to construction issues ongoing there, her Funeral Mass will be held instead at St. Theresa's Church, 151 Main St., Roxbury this Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Stanhope Union Cemetery. Messages of condolence may be sent to: www.netcongfuneral.com For those who wish, donations may be made in Mrs. Laurey's name to: Skylands Center Offering Autism Programs, Doctors Park Building 3, Seber Road, Hackettstown, NJ 07840.
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I am so saddened to hear of Mrs. laureys passing. My heart and prayers go out to her family. Rarely in life is a person impacted and influenced by another as I was in my early life by "Cissy". She was a wonderful person and I am honored to have known her.
Jack Bailey
August 2, 2013
a dear friend and fellow classmate at the college of St Elizabeth, she was deligtful and loved by many, She will be missed. I send prayers and sympathy to her beloved family.Eileen Walsh Bradley
July 14, 2013
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Laureys' family. Cissy was a remarkable woman and will be missed. She will always be remembered in the hearts of everyone who knew her. As a childhood friend of her her daughter, Cecilia I spend many weekends with the family. Her mom always made me feel welcome even though she already had a house full of children. I am grateful for those memories. She is in heaven now and we have a new angel looking after us. May God bless you with peace and comfort at this difficult time.
Josephine (Bellacomo) Kroom
July 14, 2013
Cissy has truly made an impact on the world with her constant advocacy for the less fortunate. Whenever I would meet her or speak with her on the phone, she was always so friendly and attentive and made me feel like I was her best friend. May God bless the Laureys family in your time of loss.
Jane Rufino
July 12, 2013
I am so sorry for your loss. Ma was a great women. A lot of people looked up to her. She will be missed by many. God Speed.
Melinda Connelly
July 11, 2013
I had the privilege or working with Cissy on her campaign and it was then that I really got to know her and see what a wonderful, kind, compassionate person she was. She wanted to make a difference in the world and she did just that. Deepest sympathy to her family. We were blessed to have had her in our lives.
Kathy Moyer
July 11, 2013
Our prayers. Go out to Cissy's family. She led a full and productive life . We saw her last at our 60th reunion at St. E's. Her 1952 classmates will miss her.
Florence Aluotto & Gloria Price
July 11, 2013
You were always a happy go lucky person who never passed you by without saying hello. I will always remember you. My deepest sympathy to your family.
Connie Bongiovanni/ Trabold
July 11, 2013
Always enjoyed talking with "Aunt Cissy" when I visited her niece, my college friend Angela. She made you feel welcome in her home which I remember as always full of laughter and lively conversation :) Enjoy heaven! My sympathies to her family.
Evelyn Slason Gobstein
July 10, 2013
Cissy had a way of making you feel like you were a special friend and your thoughts and ideas were important.
Our family is thinking of her family at this time and thanks them for sharing...
sue schmidt
July 10, 2013
To All
Our deepest sympathy
Barbara & George Wustefeld
July 10, 2013
The world has lost a very special woman. As a kid, there were not many women that had an impact on my life! Ma was one that did. She was a no nonsense woman that made you feel like you were part of her giant family! My heart goes out to her children, you were all so blessed to have had her for a mom..
Jill (Kuhn) Satterfield
July 10, 2013
RIP Mrs. Laureys. You were a one of a kind person and a special friend of my mom's. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Michelle Olivo Gustavson
July 10, 2013
God has taken his angel home. Our prayers for the Laureys family during this time of grief. She was a great lady who will be truly missed.
Bruce and Mary Carlson
July 10, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Laureys family. Your mom will always hold a special place in my family's hearts!!! Healing hugs your way.
Laura Newstead Mistry
L M
July 10, 2013
Cissy's huge heart will always be an inspiration to me.
Terri Baird
July 10, 2013
Dear Family Members, From our family to yours, so sorry for the loss of Cissy. Thoughts, prayers and concerns are with you at this time.
Lori Ackley (Zeller)
July 10, 2013
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