Laura Andrea Lenss

1977 - 2016

Laura Andrea Lenss

Laura Andrea Lenss, age 38, passed away Wednesday, June 15, 2016. She was born August 5, 1977, to Baiba and Andris Lenss. She received her BA in Architecture from UC Berkeley, and her Masters of Architecture from the University of Washington. She was an architect for SHKS Architects in Seattle, and became a Principle there in 2015. She was deeply committed to her profession and thoughtful on its effect on the community. She was appointed by the mayor to the Seattle Design Review Board. She treasured her friends from school, work, travel, and her son's PEPS playgroup and daycare. She had her father's engineer mind, her mother's beauty and heart, and her sister's passion for life and art. Always busy, she had been working on a book on Seattle architecture, as well as an animated film. She drew, painted, built furniture, designed buildings and parks, gardened, danced, wrote, made films, music, was a gifted cook and baker, traveler, had a cunning wit and the deepest loyalty to her family and friends. Above all else, she was the adoring and graceful mother to her sons, and the best friend and wife her husband always dreamed of.

She is survived by her beloved husband of seven years, Matt Orefice; her sunny, funny and smart sons, Henry and Walter; her sister Kristina and brother-in-law Gary; her brother-in-law Andrew and his wife Vanessa; her brother-in-law John and his wife Kathleen; her parents Baiba and Andris; and many dear friends. Services will be private and at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Laura's children's' education fund:

www.youcaring.com/Orefice