Lauren Rys Parsons

1981 - 2022

Colchester - Lauren Rys Parsons, 41, of Colchester, passed away peacefully at home Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. Lauren was born in Norwich March 29, 1981. She grew up in Oakdale and graduated from Montville High School in 1999.

Lauren earned a master's degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of New Hampshire, where she met her husband Matt Parsons. He may have had to win her over with lots of Friendly's ice cream at first to get her attention, but he soon became the love of her life and they later got married in August 2007. They settled in Colchester, where they made their home and were raising their two beautiful children, Molly, 10, and Connor, 7. For the last five years, she was employed by Colchester Public Schools as an Occupational Therapist at both Colchester Elementary and Jack Jackter. Prior to this, she worked in various pediatric settings including, Advanced Therapy Solutions and Rehabilitation Associates of Connecticut, Birth to Three, helping countless children and families navigate social and physical challenges in order to thrive in everyday life.

Lauren will be remembered for her strength of character and grace with which she lived with terminal cancer for the past seven years. Despite her diagnosis, she didn't let it define her and continued to engage in all life had to offer, never taking for granted an opportunity to travel and spend time with those she loved. She always looked forward to an annual vacation in Hampton Beach, N.H. with family and friends. She enjoyed being a member of the Colchester community, participating in local activities and always lending a helping hand to neighbors/friends. She was an extremely devoted mother, always supporting her children in their friendships, in school, and in all their activities.

Lauren was a member of the COLONTOWN cancer support group, where she not only found a great deal of help and friendship, but she also gave support to others facing their diagnosis. Lauren's family would like to express their enduring and heartfelt gratitude to the nurses, clinicians and medical staff at Eastern Connecticut Hematology and Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for caring for and supporting her through these years.

Her loss will be mourned by many, but she will be forever loved and remembered by her husband Matt Parsons of Colchester; children, Molly and Connor Parsons; parents, Steve and Susan (Krysiewicz) Rys of Oakdale; sister, Kristin (Chris) McDermott and nephew, Reece McDermott of Quincy, Mass.; and numerous extended family members and dear friends.

Calling hours will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Rd, Colchester. A celebration of Lauren's life will be held on Monday, September 26th, gathering at 10:30 a.m., with services starting at 11 a.m. at the Aurora-McCarthy funeral home. Burial will follow at the new Saint Andrew's Cemetery.

Lauren, during her cancer journey, received treatment from top-notch research facilities. Her wishes were to help those with a similar diagnosis by supporting research towards improved treatment options and a cure for colorectal cancer. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of the following institutions in Lauren's memory: Dana Farber Young Onset Colorectal Cancer Center: (http://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/goto/laurenparsons), Memorial Sloan Kettering Colorectal Cancer Research and Care (http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/Laurenparsons), Eastern CT Hematology and Oncology, Monetary donations can be sent in memory of Lauren Parsons to 330 Washington Street, Suite 220, Norwich, CT.

To share a memory or sign Lauren's online guestbook, please visit: www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com.