WELLSVILLE – Laura J. Deming, 62, passed away on Saturday (March 29, 2025) at Jones Memorial Hospital following a lengthy illness.Mrs. Deming was born on December 13, 1962 in Buffalo to John Thomas and Margaret Caroline (Schafer) Horning. She was a 1981 graduate of Belfast Central School and later earned her Licensed Practical Nurses degree through BOCES in Belmont in 1983. On September 12, 1981, in the backyard of her home in Belfast, she married Robert C. “Butch” Deming, who survives.
Laura began her career in nursing in 1983 at Highland Healthcare Center in Wellsville. In 1990 she became a Supervisor for Southern Tier Home Health Services, working both in the office and field. She went above and beyond to ensure that her clients had care, whether it be driving an employee to the client’s home or working the shift herself. She finished out the last five years of her career as a case manager for Renee Francisco, with whom she became a dear friend. She retired in 2008 from healthcare.
Laura began volunteering for the SPCA serving Cattaraugus County after retirement. It should be noted that Laura never met a dog she didn’t like. She loved dogs, she loved to talk about dogs. If you were a dog lover, pull up a chair and talk dog with her. Laura had an affinity for the “underdogs”, the unadoptable, the elder dogs, the cranky ones. She saw through their behavior as their need to be loved unconditionally. She was like that with people too. She loved without judgement.
In addition to her husband of 44 years, Laura is survived by two children, Megan Deming and Joseph Deming, both of Wellsville; two sisters, Midge Van Etten of Wellsville and Patricia Haskins of Belfast; one brother, Edwin Horning of Allentown; two grandchildren, Haily Parkhurst and Hanna Deming, both of Wellsville; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a brother-in-law, Charles Van Etten and a lifelong dear friend, Mary McMurray.
Laura loved life. She loved to cook and bake. She was known for her mother’s German potato salad. She enjoyed cooking Irish food, leek soup in particular. She made incredible sauerkraut and the few remaining jars of it are now priceless. Her cheesecakes, both sweet and savory were famous and in demand, along with her baklava. She was always on the hunt for new recipes, although her fall in 2020 made it difficult to do the actual baking. She did however bake and cook with her granddaughters Hanna and Haily, teaching them her favorite recipes and instructing them how to do it the right (old fashion) way.
Before her fall Laura enjoyed cruising the local back roads, windows down, AC/DC blaring and her face lit with a smile. Some of us would close her eyes, she was, after all, nicknamed “Lead foot Laura” for a reason. She would often ended up at Moss Lake, Hanging Bog, or on the truck trails. She loved music, attending concerts, festivals and going to see local bands regularly. She loved sitting around the campfire with good music, cold beer and friends who were like, and still are, family.
Laura was a founding member of the Old Hens Club a group of women of a certain age, but despite the numbers, very cool chicks. Thank goodness for strong backs who carried Laura and her wheelchair so she wouldn’t miss a meeting.
Laura loved children, and many loved her. She was known as the “Grandma of the Neighborhood.” On cold mornings at the bus stop the local kids huddled in her van to stay warm, waiting for the school bus. Everyone was welcome at her home. She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, even to teenagers who know everything. Some have come back and actually thanked her for her guidance, even if they didn’t like it at the time.
Laura lived 62 years. Lived. Because of her type 1 diabetes at the age of 13 they said she wouldn’t make 30. She wouldn’t be able to have children. After her fall they said she wouldn’t live, then, she wouldn’t walk but she did all those things. She fought hard. And she was tired. She taught all who knew her that “Yes, you can!” Because she did what they said couldn’t be done. Lived. She made this world a better place and she will be deeply missed. Christopher Cross wrote a song, “Think of Laura” The chorus says, “Think of Laura, and laugh don’t cry, I know she wanted it that way.”
A time of visitation will be held on Saturday (April 5) from 2-5 p.m. at the Baker-Swan Funeral Home in Wellsville/Scio. The memorial service will be held immediately after the visitation at 5:00 p.m. with Deacon Frank Pasquale officiating. Online condolences may be offered at www.baker-swan.com.
Memorial contributions in Laura’s name may be made to SPCA in Cattaraugus County, 2944 NY-16, Olean, NY 14760. © 2025 Baker-Swan Funeral Home.
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