Folsom Funeral Service

Laura Ellen Schmatzler, of Norwood, formerly of Westwood, age 65, passed away on December 29, 2023 surrounded by loving family, beloved ones, and dear friends. Born in 1958 with Down Syndrome, her family was told to bring her home and love her, but she was not expected to live very long. In an era in which little was expected or considered possible for someone with Down Syndrome. Laura exceeded expectations. Now, 65 years later, her is the story of a dedicated family, and loved ones, and an individual with curiosity, love and determination, and someone who was blessed with self confidence. Laura exceeded all expectations, including typical childhood developmental milestones. She had a wonderful sense of humor, and was up to trying new adventures.

Laura attended a special nursey school in Norwood and then entered the Westwood school system when classes were separated for individuals with special needs. Blessed with two incredibly devoted teachers (Mrs. Dorley and Miss Jackson), she learned to read, write, and do basic arithmetic. During this period of time she also learned to swim with her friends at the Needham YMCA. In high school there were many cross educational opportunities for school activities between the special classes and traditional students – to the great benefit of both. She also became a Brownie and a Girl Scout. When Laura was bout 10 years old she travelled with her family to visit her sister Natalie who as in the Peace Corps in Venezuela. Laura was also a huge animal lover and was blessed with a wonderful German Shepherd named Dino. Laura began developing an interest in art, and was enrolled in the Good Hearts art studio in Walpole, where she painted and also participated in exhibits.

In 1980 Laura graduated in cap and gown from Westwood High School. She soon became an employee of Hire Enterprises, a workshop in Walpole, and later became a dedicated employee of Siemens company (formerly Bayer) of Walpole, specializing in piecework and assembly. Laura also worked a second job as an artist with Gateway Special Arts in Brookline and considered herself a “Master Artist.” Like her father before her, she was a long term member of the Boylston Schul Verein German Club of Walpole, and was a regular on the dance floor at Otoberfest and Sommerfest, and a very proud German-American. laura was also an annual June camper at Camp Fatima Special Needs Week in Gilmanton, New Hampshire. In later years she became a regular traveler with Trips R Us, a wonderful special travel agency in Framingham, and made many exciting trips throughout the United States. Always up for social engagements, Laura loved spending holidays with family members, routinely sent a Christmas card to the President (“they work very hard”), insisted the family donate to Jerry Lewis and Muscular Dystrophy every Labor Day, was a regular bowler at the Norwood Sports Center, loved Lifeworks dances, days of “beauty”, bumper cars, and enjoyed miniature golf. One very special trip she loved was toa family member wedding at Disney World , and Universal Studios where she got to experience the Harry Potter exhibit. She also had a fabulous 60th birthday party with family at the Chateau Restaurant (she called it the Shadow Restaurant) in Norwood and was the toast of the town.

In 2004 Laura moved out of the family home in Westwood to the Lifeworks Chatham House in Norwood, as part of a class action lawsuit representing special needs individuals. She was ready to live in an apartment and got to pick her own room, paint color and furniture. The family is most grateful to Lifeworks and the Chatham Street Group Home for all the love and support they have provided over the years. The family is also grateful to the Victoria Haven Rehabilitation Center in Norwood and to Old Colony Hospice for their help and dedication during the last year of her life.

Laura was the adored daughter of the late Karl Heinz and Natalie Thomas Woodward Schmatzler, and the step-daughter of Joseph Walsh. She was the dear sister of Natalie Woodward of Norwood and the step-sister of Mary Walsh, Bill Walsh, Jay Walsh, John Walsh, and Michael Walsh. She is also survived by her Aunt Ann Woodward, her loving cousins from the Thomas, Woodward, Schmatzler, and Walsh families. Laura also leaves her dear friend and co-guardian, Paula Praeger, and the residents and staff of the Lifeworks Chatham House.

Visiting hours will be held Friday ,January 5th from 4 to 8 pm at the Folsom & may Funeral Home, 85 Nichols Street, Norwood. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral Saturday (January 6th) at 10 am at the First Parish Church, 252 Nahatan Street, Westwood followed by interment in Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree. Donations in Laura’s memory to the Lifeworks Recreation Program, 789 Clapboardtree St., Westwood, MA 02090 or to Gateway Arts, 62 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 02445 would be appreciated.

Comments(3)