Laura Olivia Dean

Laura Olivia Montellano Dean, a longtime resident of Libertyville, passed away on September 18, 2025, at the age of 61, after a courageous nine-year battle with colon cancer.

Born and raised in Libertyville, Laura was a proud graduate of Libertyville High School's Class of 1982. She went on to earn her bachelor's degree from Barat College of Lake Forest, where she was part of the final graduating class. A successful and well-recognized human resources executive, Laura found her true calling in corporate organization. She was deeply passionate and dedicated to her work, culminating in her final role as Director of HR with Acorn.

Beyond her professional life, Laura loved to travel, with favorite trips to Lake Geneva, Door County, and Mexico. Her love was expressed through acts of service, a devoted parishioner of St. Joseph where she also taught Sunday CCD school for a time, and she was instrumental in caring for her father towards the end of her life. A doting aunt, she made a special effort to spend time with all of her nieces and nephews. Laura will be dearly missed by her family and the many friends she made throughout her life.

Laura is survived by her beloved husband, Tyler Dean; her father, Abel Montellano; her step-children, Kendra (Chris) Harrington, Grant Dean, and Greta (Alex) Black; her siblings Veronica (Leo Romeo) Montellano, Eric (Geri-Lynn) Montellano, and Monica (Ken) Carlson; her nieces and nephews, Oliver and Michelle (Larry Kaganovsky) Montellano, Amanda, Kate, and Jordan Romeo, Erin Meyer, Joshua, Justin, Brandon, and Dylan Montellano; her grand-nephew, Jaxen McDonald; her aunt, Kathryn Avelar; and last but not least her cherished dog, Layla. She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary, and her beloved dog, Carter.

Visitation for Laura will be held from 9:30 – 10:30 AM on Wednesday Oct 1st at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 121 E Maple Ave., Libertyville where the Funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 AM. Interment to follow at Lakeside Cemetery, Libertyville. In lieu of flowers, memorials made to the American Cancer Society www.cancer.org/ would be greatly appreciated. Funeral arrangements by McMurrough Funeral Chapel (847) 362-2626