Laura A. Vitti

Laura A. (Dukes) Vitti, 86, of Newington, passed away peacefully on August 24, 2025. She was the beloved partner and wife of the late Benjamin Vitti for 30 years before his passing in 2014. Laura was born in Queens, NY on January 14, 1939, daughter of the late Eugene and Laura (Sobolewski) Dukes. She grew up in Cambria Heights, Queens, the eldest of five siblings. Laura was a proud graduate of The Mary Louis Academy, undergraduate of St. John's University, and master's graduate in special education of Southern Connecticut State University. She began her career as an elementary teacher before becoming a special education teacher and school psychologist, working with children in school districts, foster care, the Jengras Center, and eventually starting her own counseling practice in psychotherapy. Laura became president of the Connecticut Counseling Association, which advocated for the importance of mental health services for all. She was a faithful communicant and founding member of Church of the Holy Spirit, in Newington. In her free time, Laura enjoyed gardening, painting, drawing, bird watching, swimming in the ocean, Sunday car rides, and spending time with her whole family, especially her beloved grandchildren. Most importantly, Laura was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, who welcomed all into her home, and will be greatly missed. Laura is survived by her children Laura Montgomery and her husband Michael, Chris Shannahan and his wife Tina, Michael Shannahan and his boyfriend Wojtek, and Nancy Williams and her husband James; and her adored grandchildren Kevin and Julia Montgomery, Riley and Regan Shannahan, Ingela and Brenna Shannahan, and Gavin and Jack Williams. She is also survived by her sisters Susan Dukes, and Joan Dukes and her husband Norman Jardine; brother Barry Dukes and his wife Maria; brother-in-law Mel Lancet; and daughter-in-law AnnMari Shannahan. Laura was predeceased by her son Regis Shannahan; sister Mary Anne Lancet; and former husband Regis X. Shannahan Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Laura's family on Friday, August 29th, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Duksa Family Funeral Home at Newington Memorial, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington. Her funeral will begin on Saturday, August 30th at 9:00 a.m. from the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. at Church of the Holy Spirit, Newington. She will be laid to rest in West Meadow Cemetery, Newington. The family would like to extend their warmest thanks to the staff and caregivers of Station 1 at Avery Heights, which had been Laura's home for the last two years. Memorial donations in Laura's name may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org. To share a condolence with her family, please visit www.duksa.net. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Laura, please visit our floral store.