SMITHFIELD – It is with sadness that we announce the passing on April 24, 2024, of Laura Jean Salley, 68, due to complications of Metastasized Breast Cancer. Throughout her Cancer years she was looked after by amazing clinical care teams and supported by a loving husband and many family and friends. Laura was often heard saying to others, that as much as “Cancer is a powerful major foe, it is also a state of mind and it was the state of mind she could take control over. Combed hair, and rosy cheeks made anyone feel better when they saw themselves in a mirror or in the eyes of others.”

In early 2010, Laura was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. As the cancer metastasized to other organs, She was treated in Maine and Boston, Mass. with multiple Cancer trials and met every challenge with grace, courage, and good humor. During each trial Laura entered into, she was able to push through the side effects and continue living life to the fullest with Mearl, her loving and so supportive husband of 47 years, by her side. Mearl was thc love of her life and the ultimate partner, whose strength allowed her to stay stronger as they walked together through life’s different challenges. Laura’s perseverance and strength helped her to support colleagues who were also fighting their own family battles with cancer. She cared about family more than anything and found great joy in following the wonderful lives of her son and many nieces and nephews. Laura was a warm and loving woman who greeted everyone she met with a smile.

In 1989 Laura and Mearl’s life became so much fuller when their son, Ethan, entered their lives. Laura was so proud to be his mom.

Laura entered the world as Gloria Osborne and was soon adopted by the most loving parents one could ask for, they provided her an amazing life as Laura Jean Tourville. Laura grew up in Springfield and Longmeadow, Mass. After graduating from Longmeadow High School, she received her B.S. in Education from American International College, Massachusetts and later continued her education by attaining her master’s degree in Administration and later a Certificate of Advanced Study in Literacy, from The University of Maine, at Orono.

Laura’s professional career in education spanned 44 years. The beginning years were spent teaching at Mount Merici in Waterville and 7th and 8th grade at St. Joseph-St. Thomas Aquinas School in Springfield, Mass. After that time, all of Laura’s educational time was spent working in the Skowhegan school district of MSAD #54. During this time, Laura moved into varied roles spent as a classroom teacher, teaching Principal at Canaan Elementary School, Principal at the Norridgewock Elementary School, Academic/MPCL Coach, a district remote grade 4 teacher and a district Interventionist. In 2022, as Laura cancer became more problematic she semi-retired and instructed two days a week at the Margaret Chase Smith School, in Skowhegan. She loved the interactions with students and staff. She worked hard to assist students in meeting their academic and personal goals. She always enjoyed the challenges of teaching.

In 2020, Laura wanted to stretch her knowledge further. She trained and became a Nationally Licensed Phlebotomist. She was proud that she could learn material that was not in the teaching field. However, due to the progression of her cancer at that time, Laura only used these new skills for a very short time.

Laura enjoyed spending her free time oil painting, listening to books on CD, swimming, spending time at the family camp on Fahi Pond and gardening at their cottage on North Pond, and traveling to her parent’s former summer home on Grand Mannan Island in Canada. She also enjoyed traveling to other areas in the world. Traveling with Mearl to Columbia, S.A. to create their new family with Ethan was the most memorable and special of any trip. Christmas with Mearl, in England, was also a fond memory. The Baltic countries were especially interesting to her along with the cities of France.

Laura was predeceased by her parents, Magdalena “Pat” Tourville and Louis James Tourville.

She leaves behind her husband, Mearl A. Salley of Smithfield; a son, Ethan A. Salley of Fort Myers, Fla.; a brother, James A. Tourville of Florida, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Kenny and Carol Salley, Wesley Salley and partner Cindy Role, all of Smithfield, Bonnie and Keith Tracy of Norridgewock; and many wonderful nieces and nephews from Florida, Maryland, and Maine.

Service is Sunday June 2 at 12:30 p.m. at Gould Cemetery at the end of East Pond Road, Smithfield. All are welcome to come to the Smithfield Grange after for a gathering.

In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to the Town of Smithfield

Food Cupboard.

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