Laura Mintz, was born November 14, 1952 to Toby and Charles Mintz in South Bend, Indiana.  She is survived by her brother Richard (Dick), her brother Daniel (Dan) and her sister Ilene/Hayya, as well as her sisters-in-law Linda Mintz and Marianne Mintz who she firmly told us she considered her sisters.   She also is survived by her nieces and nephews Jacob, Brian and David Mintz, Tahila Mintz and Matt and Adrienne Mintz whom she loved and took great pride in.  Laura had memorized the dates of every family member’s birthday, as well as lengths of marriage and any other important date of family importance.  

Laura had disabilities that challenged her throughout her life, including what became a profound hearing loss, but she faced all her adversities with courage and a positive attitude.  She graduated from John Adams High School, and volunteered as a candy striper.  She then was employed for a number of years at Logan Industries.  She participated as an athlete in Special Olympics and also as a volunteer.  In 1978, Laura moved to New Haven, CT to join a program called Chapel Haven to learn independent living skills and job training skills.  After she graduated, she was able to live off-campus and began her very long association with what is now Morgan Stanley.  She ran the mail room, and had many other duties.  Most importantly, she developed bonds with many of the brokers over the years; she loved “the guys” and they loved her back.  She was “the commissioner” of the football pool, and was thrilled to have finally won this year.  In addition, she was a co-organizer since its inception for the Chapel Haven Golf Classic whose proceeds go to empowering adults with disabilities to be gainfully employed.  Laura proudly spoke at many of these events. Two years ago, Laura moved into the Chap[el Haven SAIL building which provides supported living for adults like herself. As can be guessed, Laura was an avid sports enthusiast.  She followed politics, loved to use technology, and was always busy knitting or crocheting gifts for people in her life.  

In addition to her broker buddies, Laura developed deep relationships with many people throughout her life. Rabbi Ely Rosenzveig and his wife have remained a very important part of her life since their years in South Bend, and he may have been the last non-family person to speak to Laura by phone.  Janice Howard was not only her audiologist but her friend.  She loved and was loved and cared for by many staff at Chapel Haven/SAIL including Sunny Richards, Terri Console, Jasmine Dawson, Brittany Joyner-Phillips, Debbie Elliott and too many others to mention. The family wish to thank all those who loved and supported Laura throughout her life.  

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, March 3 at 1:30 PM in the Hebrew Orthodox Cemetery Chapel. 

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Chapel Haven Schleifer Center, Inc, and note Laura Mintz on the memo line. The address is: 1040 Whalley Ave, New Haven CT 06515