Lauren Marie Gutierrez

Lauren Gutierrez passed away on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at Virtua Hospital in Mt. Holly, NJ. Born in Philadelphia to her father, the late Frank Ratkis, and mother, Lee Ratkis, Lauren was 39 years old. She was a resident of Mt. Laurel, NJ since 2013.
She is survived by her deeply devoted husband, Juan and their dog (whom she thought of as her baby) Linus, as well as her mother, Lee Ratkis, and brother, Christopher Ratkis and his wife, Kathryn, and their son, Owen. They will remember her for her zest for life, infectious laugh, and brightness she brought to every room. Lauren loved to travel, especially to Italy where she studied abroad and honed her skills as an Italian teacher. She also loved reading, binge watching her favorite shows with her husband, and was a foodie, visiting and enjoying countless restaurants. She was a loyal Philadelphia Eagles fan, faithfully watching every game and offering lengthy critiques of their performance, even in victory.
Lauren grew up in Marlton, NJ. As a child, Lauren already displayed a love of teaching. Her favorite toys were a full size chalkboard, in front of which she would display her dolls and lecture about the various topics she was learning at school herself. She was also always an avid reader, progressing from the Berenstain Bears, to Judy Bloom, to Jane Austen and Shakespeare in rapid succession. Lauren was always a people person, able to move between crowds and find a way to connect with anyone she met. Her personality seemed to attract both children and animals as well. Lauren was a loving dog mom and aunt, and will be remembered for her affection and generosity (bordering on spoiling) in these relationships. She further brought her love of teaching language as Linus responds to three languages and she was beginning to teach her nephew Owen, who is less than two years old, Italian as well.
Perhaps Lauren's greatest passion was her career as an Italian teacher. She was determined to teach from a young age though the subject matter was initially more vague. Her love of languages began at a young age in her relationship with her grandmother, Franca Tagliamonte, who would speak and sing with Lauren in Italian. Italian then became part of her education dream as a student at Cherokee High School. She attended University of Delaware where she majored in both education and Italian. She studied abroad in Siena, Italy, before then immediately landing her dream job as an Italian teacher at Cherokee High School, where she taught until her untimely passing. She later pursued and completed a Master's Degree in education, a challenge she took on to further her ability to impact and educate her students, which she valued above all else. Lauren's unrivaled passion, knowledge, and enthusiasm have touched the lives of countless students during the past 17+ years. Lauren was chosen as department coordinator in 2021, through which she influenced more teachers and students with her passion for education.
Lauren is also survived by extended family and innumerable friends. Of her extensive talents and passions, Lauren will also be remembered as an amateur travel agent, organizing and planning trips, even ones she would not be attending. She will be remembered for her love of food, cooking, language, infectious positivity, but mostly for her warmth and sense of humor. Lauren was able to make anyone smile, whether with a warm word, her laughter that no one seemed able to resist, or just with her presence.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Lauren's name to your local animal shelter.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Lauren's viewing on Monday, February 10th, 2025, from 3pm - 5pm, with a funeral service at 5pm in Givnish Funeral Home, located at 398 E. Main Street, Marlton, NJ, 08053. The service will be livestreamed: https://www.viewlogies.net/givnish/UIkAXd6OF?pin=698881