Laura Cavagnolo Marcinkowski

Laura Cavagnolo Marcinkowski
October 11, 1939 – July 19, 2025
A life of purpose, passion, and heart.
Laura Marcinkowski - devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend - passed away on July 19, 2025, at the age of 85. She left this world as she lived in it: with strength, grace, and deep conviction.
Born in Manhattan, New York City, on October 11, 1939, Laura attended Holy Cross Academy and later studied at Pace University. Her life took her around the globe, living in places as diverse as St. Croix (USVI), Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and several homes throughout the U.S., including Tewksbury, New Jersey, Long Meadow, Massachusetts, and finally, Houston, Texas - where her activism and compassion took root and flourished.
Laura was a fierce advocate for peace, justice, and the marginalized. Guided by her deep faith and the teachings of Jesus, she was an active member of St. Bernadette's Social Justice Group, CodePINK, and involved in numerous organizations, including the Houston Peace and Justice Center, Pax Christi, Veterans for Peace, and the School of the Americas Watch. Her activism took her to the U.S.–Mexico border, to anti-war protests across the country, and on citizen diplomacy trips to Venezuela and El Salvador.
She believed in showing up - for people, for causes, and for truth. Whether protesting the Iraq War or organizing meals with Food Not Bombs to feed the unhoused in Houston, Laura's activism was not just ideology - it was love in action. She and her beloved husband Joe shared a passion for family heritage and adventure. Together they traveled to Lake Maggiore, Italy, and Kraków, Poland, retracing family roots and embracing cultural and spiritual moments - including a pilgrimage to Poland during a papal visit, filled with joy and meaning.
Laura also brought her talents to the world of business, serving as a real estate agent and Vice President/administrator for the family's small businesses. But no matter her title, her most important roles were always the ones that connected her to others -mother, friend, mentor, and advocate.
She made every place she lived a little more compassionate and a little more just. She is deeply loved and will be missed beyond words.