Laura "Manser" Thomas

Laura Lee (Manser) Thomas, 79, of Somers, CT passed away on March 4th, 2026 at Johnson Memorial Hospital in Stafford Springs, CT. She was one day shy of her 80th birthday.

Laura was born on March 5th, 1946 in Manasquan, NJ to Robert Manser and Patricia (Cheek) Manser. She was the eldest of four siblings, and she assumed a maternalistic, caretaking role for them from an early age. The family lived on the Jersey shore until Laura was 16, when they moved to Connecticut for a short time. There, Laura met her future husband, Robert Thomas.

Laura and Bob were married June 19, 1965, in a unique ceremony that landed them in newspapers around the world. Because Laura had the measles, the wedding had to be canceled. Not to be hindered, the couple hopped in the car in their wedding clothes along with a minister, their maid-of-honor and best man, and got married in the car just over the town line, saying their vows right there in the backseat. One of the headlines read, "And the Bride Wore Spots." One year later, the couple welcomed their daughter Kimberly, and in 1976 they settled permanently in Enfield, CT.

Laura continued her education as a young mother, earning a Master's Degree in Social Work in 1986. She worked as a social worker for a time, then as a psychotherapist for the remainder of her career. Helping clients in this way brought Laura immense satisfaction for decades, and when she finally retired, she did so reluctantly.

Laura was predeceased by her husband, Bob, in 2016. She is also predeceased by her brother, William Manser, her son-in-law, Jay Hein, and both of her parents. She is survived by her daughter, Kim Thomas-Hein; her grandson, Michael Hein and his wife, Amanda; her granddaughter, Jamie Velahein and her spouse, Wesley; her brothers Jim Manser and his wife, Debbie, and Andy Manser and his wife, Joyce as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Laura's life will be held privately by the family where Laura will be remembered for her sharp wit, her love for her family and friends, her passion for movies and reading, her loving, caring, competitive nature and especially for her work with others. Laura's family would especially like to thank the staff at Johnson Memorial Hospital for their compassionate care.