Laura Lenhard

CUMBERLAND, RI - Laura Anne (Lyons) Lenhard, entered eternal peace in Cumberland, RI on January 24, 2025, at the age of 59, after coping with Multiple Sclerosis for many years. Laura was born at 7:26 PM on July 26,1965, in Schenectady, NY. Laura is survived by her father Robert J. Lyons, and stepmother Kathleen M. (LaFontaine) Lyons, Sarasota FL; her son, Cooper J. Lenhard (partner Briana McKenna), Raleigh, NC; and her daughter, Savannah L. Lenhard, Kennett Square, PA. She was predeceased by her mother, Bonnie L. (Wade) Lyons. She is also survived by her sister, Lisa K. Wiley, Collingwood, ON, and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins, including in-laws.

As a child, Laura moved from Schenectady, NY, to Wilton, CT, to Sudbury, MA, and to East Greenwich, RI. While in elementary school in MA, she began a love for running and became an accomplished swimmer, diver, life saver, and golfer at Nashawtuc Country Club. In RI, Laura became active in many sports during her junior and senior high school years, including pitching softball, skiing, water skiing, swimming, running, and tennis. She continued golf at Potowomut Golf Club. She even played some girls’ football. She was a varsity cheerleader for hockey and basketball. While still in high school, she focused her sights on a nursing career. She became a “Candy Striper” at Kent County Hospital and worked at a local nursing home where she developed a deep compassion for caring for people. She graduated from East Greenwich High School in 1983. In 1985, she graduated from Vermont College with an Associate of Science in Nursing. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at University of Rhode Island, in 1987. She successfully completed her exams and became a Registered Nurse that same year. While at University of Rhode Island, Laura was a member of Chi Omega Sorority.

Laura worked as an RN in the intensive care unit at The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, where she met her husband to be Dr. James Lenhard. They moved to Hockessin, DE, where they both worked in the Christiana Care Hospitals. At about age 36, with two young children, Laura was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Life changed over time, and as her active sports ability diminished, she became a Soccer Mom, Swimming Mom, even Karate Mom; and she continued to cheer for her Boston Red Sox. As a devoted mother, she enthusiastically enjoyed raising her family and seeing them progress in academics and sports. She even continued her nursing profession for several years. Over a 23-year period, coping with MS became more and more difficult with many ups and downs. After living in Kennett Square, PA for about 7 years, in 2023, she decided to move back to RI. While the move put a strain on her body, she made it. She was starting to establish a relationship with the RI Multiple Sclerosis Society.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the future. Donations in Laura’s memory may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society National Multiple Sclerosis Society | Leading the MS Movement.