Ann P. Laraja

Ann P. Laraja

Vero Beach, FL

EMT

Ann P. Laraja a resident of Westport, Connecticut for over 80 years and Vero Beach, Florida died peacefully with her family around her on September 6.

She was born in New York on October 19, 1924. She graduated from High School in Mount Vernon New York in 1942, where she was part of an accelerated class for exceptional math students. In 1946, she graduated from New Jersey College for Women (Rutgers/Douglass) with a BA in psychology.

She married Frank D. Laraja on June 28, 1947. As they began a family she found time to volunteer for several organizations that helped children and people suffering from illnesses such as; the Cerebral Palsy Association, the Cancer Society, and the march of Dimes. She also worked on a United Nations study of Japanese American children interned during WWII.

It was when she began volunteering at Norwalk Hospital in the mid 1960's, that she found her true calling and sense of purpose. While working in the operating room, she was asked to start a volunteer program for the emergency room. She then replicated that program for Bridgeport Hospital.

In 1974, she became an EMT and worked for the Westport Ambulance Service until 1982. The challenges and immediacy of EMT work was where her organizational skills, knowledge of procedures and dedication to service came together.

Ann was a friendly, caring person, always curious to know and understand the people she met and grew to love. She dearly enjoyed playing Bridge throughout her lifetime and will always be remembered for her inviting smile, warm laugh, and ready advice.

Her husband, Frank and her son, Donald, predeceased her. She is survived by her daughter, Dianne L. Gilmore of Norwalk, two granddaughters; Mika Durrell of Martha 's Vineyard and Emma Gilmore of Cape Cod, and two great granddaughters.

In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service 50 Jesup Road Westport, CT 06880.

A guest book is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.