Laura Anne Sullivan LaPlante

1987 - 2014

HANCOCK - Laura Anne Sullivan LaPlante of Hancock, died May 2 in Chicago, Ill. from injuries sustained when the taxi in which she rode was struck by another car. She was 26 years old and had expected to graduate from the University of Chicago School of Law in June.

Laura, the daughter of Roberta (Sullivan) LaPlante and Dan LaPlante of Hancock, was born Sep. 22, 1987, in Denver, Colo., and later attended St. Patrick Elementary School in Jaffrey, after her parents moved to the state. She graduated from ConVal Regional High School in Peterborough, in 2006. In addition to her academic commitments, she became an avid runner and was an accomplished member of the cross-country and track teams at the high school. She attended Columbia University in New York and, after transferring to the University of New Hampshire, graduated summa cum laude in 2010 with degrees in both economics and philosophy. She competed with the track teams at both universities and achieved numerous academic awards. She was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the economics honor society at the University of New Hampshire.

After gaining admission to the University of Chicago School of Law, Laura became active in a number of campus groups, including the Federalist Society (of which she was president) and Law School Republicans (on which she served as treasurer), as well as the Saint Thomas More Society, Law Women's Caucus, and the Edmund Burke Society. After graduation, she had planned to begin practice with Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP in Boston, at which law firm she spent last summer as an associate intern.

Besides her parents, Laura is survived by her brothers, Peter LaPlante, 24, of Burlington, Vt., and Ryan LaPlante, 21, of Hancock, and her sister, Claire LaPlante, 10, of Hancock, as well as her grandmother, Mariana Sullivan of Centennial, Colo., grandparents, Duane and Audrey LaPlante of Fort Branch, Ind. She was loved by 26 aunts and uncles, more than 30 first cousins, and countless friends and associates. Her grandfather Raymond Sullivan of Centennial, Colo. died in 2012.

Though Laura was an accomplished scholar and athlete, her family would like her to be remembered most of all for her generous nature and compassionate spirit. Everyone who knew her will have those gifts to carry forward.

Family and friends are invited to share in a Rosary Service on Monday, May 12, 2014 at 4 p.m. in Saint Patrick Church, 89 Main Street, Jaffrey, N.H. 03452. Laura's family will welcome visitors at the Saint Patrick School Gymnasium, 70 Main Street, Jaffrey, following the Rosary Service, (approximately 4:45) until 7 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at Saint Patrick Church in Jaffrey. Rev. Wilfred Deschamps, Pastor, will be accompanied by Rev. Richard Kelly and Msgr. Gerald Belanger in the celebration of the Mass. Burial will be private.

Though Laura's family welcomes condolence cards, her parents request that well-wishers refrain from sending flowers, suggesting that gifts be made in Laura's honor to any of the following organizations: the University of Chicago Law School; the Federalist Society at the University of Chicago; the Friends of UNH Women's Cross Country/Track & Field, or the Thomas More Society. All address details may be found on Laura's permanent online memorial at www.cournoyerfh.com.