Laurie Nowak

Gouverneur - Laurie Nowak, 61, passed away on Thursday, October 9, 2025, while at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester after battling a chronic illness, while surrounded by her family.

Per her wishes, there will be no public services.

Laurie (Worden) Nowak was born on April 20, 1964, in Canton, NY, to the late Merrill and Beverly (Whiteford) Worden. After graduating from Gouverneur High School, Laurie went on to serve as a direct support professional in the area. During her 30 years of service, she was able to bring lots of love, laughter, and joy to the people she cared for and their families.

Laurie is survived by her beloved partner of 26 years, David “Mike” Hentz; her daughters, Jennifer (Nowak) Tharret and her husband, Leroy “Fred” Therret, and Jessica Nowak and her partner, Marco Curcio; her partner’s son whom she thought of as her own, Cameron Neuroth; her grandchildren, Sophia Curcio, Chloe Curcio, Hudson Curcio, Ashton Curcio, Daymian Barbarito, Kaedyn Barbarito, Grayson Pickett, Jazalynn Barbarito, and Janessa Tharrett; her siblings, Danny Worden of Dekalb, NY, Kevin Worden of Gouverneur, NY, Mike Worden of Gouverneur, NY, and Colleen Mashaw and partner, Donny Arquitt of Black River, NY, and Kathy (Joe) Jesmer of Gouverneur, NY; and lots of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

The center of Laurie’s life was her family. It was incredibly important to her that she was in a seat at every single birthday party, recital, or any celebration, no matter how far. She spoiled her grandchildren and loved taking them to the beach, theme parks, movies, plays, parades, and all the local events. At their slumber parties, Laurie always made sure her grandchildren had plenty of snacks and treats. A bargain shopper, she was always looking for good deals and for people to share the spoils of her shopping trips with, often giving away gifts year-round just to see the joy it brought to everyone’s faces. Preparing and sharing meals was yet another way she was able to share her love with her family, and most often it was her beloved pasta and macaroni salads that everyone asked for. When she wasn’t trying to pamper her loved ones, Laurie loved spending time by the water or going on car rides through the mountains to watch the leaves change color. She often reminisced about her favorite family trip to Walton’s Mountain in Virginia. Laurie had a kindness and a laughter that was contagious; these are the traits that we will remember when we think of her.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Laurie’s name may be made to one’s own local animal shelter.

Arrangements are with the Lundy Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc., located at 500 State Street, Carthage, NY 13619. Online condolences in her memory can be made to www.lundyfuneralhome.com