Laure I. Bailey

Laure Ida (Schupbach) Bailey, passed away peacefully the morning of May 1, 2023 at the age of 91.  She was born on March 12, 1932 in Waterbury, CT to the late Adelaide (Cornoni) Schupbach and Arthur Louis Schupbach.  Laure spent most of her life in Waterbury, Southington and Bristol before dementia and later Alzheimer’s Disease took away her independence.  Her later years were spent in the extraordinary care provided by the dedicated and loving staff at LiveWell in Plantsville. 

Laure was a kind rebel at heart, lively, bold and full of spirit.  She lived life with a sense of adventure and lived it on her own terms but always watched out for her children and for others.  She loved her family with all of her kind heart.  She was the neighborhood mom, providing a mix of love, reassurance and a warm home-cooked meal for those children in need.  Also, she was a loving protector of animals, making sure that the neighborhood stray cats always had food and water, and opening her home to the many cats who sensed her caring nature and allowed themselves to become her house pets.  Dogs were always in the house as well and she provided a wonderful home for them. 

Laure’s work experience includes many years spent helping others while working at various convalescent homes, and she was happy to be a member of the Connecticut Society of Genealogists and enjoyed researching her family’s history.  She had an innate talent for the arts including playing piano, without any formal lessons.  Even as dementia progressed, she charmed all with her ability to play music, including for her fellow residents at LiveWell.  As with her musical ability, her writing was also self-taught, creating poetry that was heartfelt and beautiful to read, and journals that captured her daily experiences, thoughts, and dreams.  She enjoyed being outdoors surrounded by the beauty of nature and an occasional fishing trip.  She was a lively presence at family parties and her family thinks fondly of the many great meals that she cooked, while often sharing many funny stories of her life.  Always a spiritual person, during her latter years she was a member of Faith Living Church in Plantsville.

Laure was the proud mother to seven children:  Adelaide Thomas (Manny Velez), Joseph Pandolfio (Joel Carvalho), Edwin Pandolfio (Lisa Pandolfio), Albert DeSantis, Mary DelGiudice (Bob DelGiudice), Linda DeSantis (Roy VanWagner), and Mark DeSantis.  She leaves behind six grandchildren: Dawn Thomas, John Thomas Jr, Jennifer Smith, April Pandolfio, Grace DelGiudice and Emily DeSantis.  She is also survived by six great-grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren and her sister Elizabeth Schupbach.  Laure was pre-deceased by her great-granddaughter, Jalisa Adorno.

The family expresses their sincerest gratitude to the staff at LiveWell in Plantsville for providing a kind, caring and safe environment during her last years.  At the start of her illness, Laure benefited from a part-time day program there, and as her illness progressed, she became a full-time resident there, lovingly treated as a member of their own family.  They are truly Healthcare Heroes.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Laure’s memory to a local animal shelter, or just do something kind for a stray cat in your neighborhood as that would be sure to make her smile.

Calling Hours will be held on Monday, May 8, 2023 from 9 – 10:30a.m. at the Plantsville Funeral Home, 975 S. Main St, Plantsville, CT, followed by a brief service at 10:30 a.m. and internment at New Pine Grove Cemetery, 850 Meriden Rd, Waterbury CT.  For online condolences and directions, please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.