Laurie L. "Schlinky" Schlink

4/19/1957 - 8/17/2024

Quaker Hill - Laurie L. Schlink, age 67, of Quaker Hill, passed away unexpectedly surrounded by her loved ones Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. Laurie was born April 19, 1957, in New London, to Diane and Winslow Crampfield of Quaker Hill, who predeceased her.

As a child, Laurie loved spending her summers with her family and close family friends in Greenfield, Mass., and Watch Hill, R.I. She continued this tradition with her own children who still love spending summers sharing this same joy. Laurie graduated from Waterford High in 1975. Upon graduation, she attended Manchester Community College and received her associate's degree as a certified surgical technician. Following graduation, she started working at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London, in the operating room in 1978. In 1979, she met Robert F. Schlink Jr. and after a short courtship, they married Valentine's Day. He was the love of her life for 43 years; he survives her.

Laurie, affectionately known as "Schlinky" by her colleagues and friends, loved her job and working in the hospital community. She took pride in her position. Everyone that knew or interacted with Laurie felt she brought so much light into their lives and held her in very high esteem. She treated everyone she worked with as family and brought comfort to patients and was a support to all of her co-workers. She then transferred to the Lawrence + Memorial Pequot Health Surgery Center in Groton, from its opening in 2006, and until 2019, when she retired after 41 years of dedicated service.

Laurie was a proud mom to her three children. She loved going on fun family adventures, with trips to Disney being her favorite. Laurie loved being a softball coach to her daughters Kimberly and Heather, and never missed a tennis match for her son Bobby. She always supported all of her children's interests, whether it was Kim's softball or culinary achievements, Heather's musical performances, or Bobby's tennis competitions. Through this support, she was beloved in many communities. She was a proud "Band Mom" and not only a coach, but brought happiness to so many children she interacted with. Laurie touched so many people's lives and was a mother figure to so many. She shared so much love and kindness.

Laurie's greatest joy, however, was being a grandmother. She never missed a birthday, holiday or special occasion. She continued her love of Disney on many trips throughout the years with her grandchildren. But she was just as happy reading books, going to the movies or swimming all day in the pool. She never missed a competition, concert, swim class, performance or graduation. Besides her children and grandchildren she was a "Mom" and "Gramma" to so many close friends that she considered family.

In addition to her husband, Laurie is survived by her children, Kimberly Rouisse (husband Brian), Heather Schlink, and Bobby Schlink (wife Jessica); and her eight grandchildren: Alex, Joshua, Jaxson, Grace, Bella, Olivia, Parker and Avery; her sister Christine Guntner (husband Vince); and is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, at Byles Memorial Funeral Home in New London. A service in her honor will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 23, at St. Joseph's Church in New London. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the World Wildlife Foundation. www.worldwildlife.org. Please visit www.Byles.com to sign the guestbook, share a memory or ask for directions.