Louise DeMars

Louise Lauretano DeMars, age 78, of Bristol, CT passed away on January 9, 2023 after a short illness.

Louise was born on August 30th, 1944 to Michael and Amelia Lauretano in Bristol, CT. As a young girl, Louise was fascinated watching her father, the founder of Lauretano Sign Corporation, design and hand-letter signs. When she was only 4 years old, she started helping him paint signs, and soon discovered that she had quite an artistic talent of her own.

She was encouraged and mentored by Rita Card, her Art teacher at Terryville High School. Rita was instrumental in fostering and directing Louise's brilliant talent in the arts. After Louise graduated from Terryville High School, she went on to study Art/Graphic Design at Paier School of Art.

Louise worked for the next 25 years at Yale University's Peabody Museum of Natural History in New Haven, CT, where she worked her way up the ranks to become the Chief Exhibition Designer, and then the Head of Exhibition & Graphic Design. Over those years she created many spectacular exhibits that drew rave reviews from the public and the media. While at Yale she also established a Graphics Design Internship, where she mentored many aspiring Art students from surrounding universities.

In 1991, Louise became the Executive Director at the New England Carousel Museum in Bristol, CT. During her 28 years as Executive Director, she spearheaded many new and delightful exhibits that received glowing acclaim from the media, the public, and her peers. Giving back to the community became a primary focus of Louise's tenure with the museum, which became a treasure in the Bristol area, providing wholesome entertainment and education for families and individuals over the years. In subsequent years, she also became the Executive Director of the Mystic, CT branch of the Museum, and of the Bushnell Park Carousel in Hartford.

When she retired from the Carousel Museum in 2019, she became Director Emeritus of the Bushnell Park Carousel. This became her new pride and joy and passion, and she worked tirelessly to preserve and enhance the historical carousel so that present and future generations could enjoy its splendor and majesty.

Louise was a valued member of many organizations and associations over the course of her career. These included the American Alliance of Museums, the New England Museum Association, the Connecticut Historical Society, the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, the Bristol Downtown Revitalization Committee, the Mayor's Committee on Art and Culture, the Bushnell Park Foundation, the Connecticut Commission on the Arts, and the National Carousel Association. She served on the Board of Directors of the New England Carousel Museum and the American Association of Museums, and was one of the founding members of the National Association for Museum Exhibition, where she served as President for five years.

While still in High School, Louise met Harold "Lefty" DeMars. Lefty saw her when she was captain of the CYO cheerleaders, and was smitten. It turned out that she was smitten as well, and they were soon married. Louise and Lefty spent decades together in wonderful loving marriage until Lefty's death in 1992. They had a number of cherished beagles over the years…who were like children to Louise and Lefty.

Louise was predeceased by her parents Michael and Amelia Lauretano, and by her older sister Joanne Lauretano West. She is survived by her sister Susan Lauretano (Scott) of Birdsboro, PA, her brother Michael Lauretano (Diane) of Morris, CT, her brother Dan Lauretano (Patty) of Sequim, WA, and by several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She will be dearly and deeply missed by her family, friends and colleagues.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday January 17, 10:30 AM at the Immaculate Conception Church, 170 Main St. Terryville. Relatives and friends may call at the Scott Funeral Home, 169 Main St. Terryville, from 8:30 until leaving for church. There will then be a repast after Mass, at the Lyceum, 181 Main St. Terryville, from 11:30 to 1:30. www.scottfuneralhomeinc.com

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the "Louise Lauretano DeMars Love of Art Fund" care of Main Street Community Foundation, P.O. Box 2702, Bristol, CT 06011.