Laura Denise Kea

Laura D. Kea, 69, of Jamaica Plain passed away peacefully at home on January 4, 2024, following a long struggle with uterine cancer, with her beloved life partner, Joe Politch, at her side. Laura was born on February 17, 1954 in Akron, Ohio to George W. and Agnes (Thomas) Kea. She was raised in Campbell, Ohio, near Youngstown, and graduated from Campbell public schools. She is survived by her partner, Joseph Politch, of Boston, a sister, Roberta (Robin) Johnson-Kea, of Akron, a niece, Ta'Tanisha Johnson-Kea and a great niece, Tomi Johnson-Kea, both of Avon Lake, Ohio. Laura was preceded in death by her father, mother and brother, Peter Kea.
Laura graduated from Hiram College in Hiram, Ohio in 1976, and with the closure of Youngstown Sheet and Tube Campbell Works in 1977, she decided to seek her fortune in Boston following the advice of a close friend and mentor. She immediately fell in love with the area and after working in a number of positions in banking and publishing, Laura began a 37-year career at Brigham and Women's Hospital/Mass General Brigham in 1986 primarily as an administrator for Research Administration and the Institutional Review Board. She was very well liked and served as a mentor, role model and friend to many colleagues especially women and people of color throughout her career.
Laura was a very unassuming and modest person who could surprise you with her sense of humor and take-no-prisoners attitude. However, she had a heart of gold and was a truly great person who would not hesitate to go out of her way to help a friend in need.
Laura had a rich variety of interests and hobbies. She was a passionate needlepointer and was a member of the American Needlepoint Guild. She welcomed her annual trip to the ANG Seminar with her best friend Joan Roguski and managed to attend the seminar in Atlanta last August. In fact, Laura constantly amazed her friends and family with her tenacity and determination to live life to the fullest given her dire diagnosis. Laura was an avid sports fan with a passion for Boston teams but would also watch any major league baseball game--including West Coast games late at night Boston time. She also loved music and had an eclectic taste in music from country and blues to R&B and rock. In addition, she was an inveterate reader and enjoyed traveling. Laura was known for her prodigious memory and had a fervid interest in trivia. Friends and family members would marvel at her recall of events in their lives that even they had long forgotten.
Laura descended from a long line of Black pioneers and activists. Her maternal grandfather, Robert Thomas, who helped raise her, was the first Black firefighter in her hometown. Her paternal great aunt, Salaria Kea, was a nurse and desegregation activist who volunteered in both the Spanish Civil War and World War II.
A memorial service and celebration of Laura's life will be held at the First Parish in Brookline Unitarian Church, 382 Walnut Street, BROOKLINE on Saturday, February 24 at 1 pm. A repast will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Laura's memory to support cancer research and patient care at:
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via dana-farber.org/gift