Obituary of Laura Jeanne Collupy

Laura "Laurie" Jeanne Collupy, born on October 12, 1947, lived a beautiful, dignified life. She passed away in her sleep on November 4, 2022, after a series of health challenges that she kept a good attitude throughout. A discerning woman of exquisite taste, she provided comfort and solace while asking little in return. Laura was born in Bremerton, Washington, where her father, David R. White, MD, was stationed in the United States Navy following World War II. Her father was a specialist in internal medicine who ignited in her a love of medicine. Her mother was Jeanne G. White, a brilliant musician, from whom Laura inherited her sense of beauty and art. When Laura was four years old, the family moved to North Bend, Oregon, a coastal town, where her father joined a flourishing medical practice. They lived on a hill overlooking Coos Bay, Oregon, on thirty acres of land with nothing but woods behind them for miles. Since the nearest neighbors were quite a distance away, Laura and her brother were each other's only playmates, and they grew very close. Her childhood was in many ways idyllic, playing with her brother in the beautiful coastal rainforest every day, returning home only when their mom rang the dinner bell. She enjoyed being with family, going on family vacations, and later, her numerous school activities. She was a joyful presence with vibrant blue eyes, colorful clothes, beautiful hair, creative fashion choices, and a bubbly personality. She loved her friends and family and filled her home with warmth and kindness. As an artist, her favorite color was the whole rainbow, and we would like her celebration of life to be full of vibrancy, color, and joyful music. We will miss her greatly. Her greatest joys were doing her artistry: painting, sculpting, wire art, and jewelry. Her imagination would just take off, and at the end, there was a beautiful priceless work that she had made for one of her precious friends. She also made it her mission to care for the sick and injured through her work as a medical assistant in the Kodiak, Alaska and Portland, Oregon area doctors' offices and medical facilities. She retired after forty-four years of service. She never intended to move to Colorado, but did so to follow her heart. She met her husband, Robert, forty-four years prior in Kodiak, Alaska, where they enjoyed a brief romantic time, but the timing was not right, and both went their separate ways. Thirty-five years later, they were reunited, fell in love again, and began a marriage that lasted these years. Laura had an amazing sense of humor and a beautiful laugh! Her wit was razor sharp and she was known to say the most shocking thing she could think of, in hopes of helping you see a new perspective. She made her whole family laugh with her outrageous and exaggerated facial expressions and all her silly sayings. She was kind, generous and compassionate. Even when she spoke in anger, she was often the first to apologize and to try to heal what was broken. She believed in autonomy, dignity, and a person's right to choose the life they want. She struggled with the concept of tough love, and was fiercely independent and private. She loved her entire family, despite their quirks and dysfunction. She worried about them, rooted for them, protected them, resented them, forgave them, and always kept on loving them. Laura will be desperately missed by all those that she's left behind. To say that her family and friends will miss her greatly is an understatement. Our hearts are so broken by this loss. She was one of a kind and to be a friend or be loved by her was to be truly blessed. She is survived by her devoted husband, Robert; her loving sons, David S. Gagnet, and Christopher P. Gagnet; and her best friend and brother, Gregory D. White. Celebration of Life and Memorial Service, 11:00AM, Saturday, December 3, 2022, The Springs Funeral Services, 3115 East Platte Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80909. Family and friends are invited to come and share fond memories and stories. Events Celebration of Life Saturday, December 3, 2022 11:00AM The Springs Funeral Services 3115 East Platte Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Phone: 719-207-8855