Laura Jane Noffke

Laura Jane Noffke, beloved mother of Hannah Jane Lavelle; wife of the late Michael C. Lavelle; dear sister of Steve H. Noffke, Jennifer A. Noffke, Richard C. Noffke; daughter of the late Rev. Henry L. Noffke and Laura J. Noffke; cherished aunt of Andrew, Callie, Annie, Aaron, Payvand and Owen, passed away on March 7, 2026. Laura is survived by many more loving family members and friends.
Sweet Laurie, she was the best of us and the heart of our family. We will miss her goodness, patience and humor. No one had a more beautiful smile and laugh. Laurie was born on October 14, 1959 in Westlake, Ohio and had dear friends and happy memories growing up. Family trips across the country and regular trips to grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins were always part of the summer and holidays. Laurie graduated from Westlake High School early to take a semester at the Instituto Allende in Mexico. As a student at Ohio Wesleyan University, Laurie spent a year studying in Bogota, Columbia where she also taught English and rode horses in the mountains before graduating with a degree in Anthropology. When she returned to Cleveland, Laurie met her love and future husband, Michael Lavelle. He cherished her and they were happy partners in life. Laurie always felt strongly that children, especially those needing a hand up, deserved support and attention. Her first job out of college was running a program to enrich the lives of the children living in her neighborhood in the near west side of Cleveland. Laurie led excursions all over the area to the zoo and Metroparks and when Michael went, there might be fishing. Laurie and Michael joined her sister in San Diego and enjoyed the beaches of southern California for several years before moving to Baltimore. Laurie’s job working with students at a trade school brought them to Maryland, where they explored the Chesapeake Bay from their home in Middle River. Michael would bring out his guitar, and they’d sing songs they were practicing. Their fondest wish came true when their daughter Hannah was born. Professionally, Laurie was proud to be engaged in meaningful work at Johns Hopkins University for 37 years where she gained many life-long friends. She worked with the Maryland’s Tomorrow Drop Out Prevention Program, assisting students so they could succeed academically. In later years Laurie worked on the administration of grant funding and created training programs. Laurie was devoted to her daughter Hannah, whom she loved fiercely. When Michael passed in 1996, Laurie and her sister, Jenny raised their children together. There were wonderful years of playing, singing to music, swimming at the Wilson Point pool, kayaking and jet skiing in the Bay, dancing to Moondance, little parties, jokes, traveling and trips to the beach – especially Ocean City, Maryland. Laurie was an excellent and precise cook; she loved soups with finely chopped vegetables and sandwiches with spread on every corner. She loved her animals, walking by the water and sitting on her porch in the evenings. For the last two years, Laurie fought hard against a rare form of cancer. She was brave and wanted so badly to spend more time in this life, with Hannah most of all. She had quiet power and courage throughout her battle and she taught her family much with her determination and grace. When her husband Michael died, her family gave her a large chest painted with a waterfront scene and three beach chairs, for Michael, Laurie and Hannah. Inside a few lines from a song are painted…..”I’ll see you in the sky above, the tall grass and the ones we love, but you’re going to make me lonesome when you go.”

There will be two celebrations of Laurie’s life. May 11, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. we will gather for ice cream and the sunset at Broom’s Bloom Dairy, 1700 South Fountain Green Road, Bel Air, Maryland 21015.
May 30, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. we will gather for service at the Church of the Redeemer, 23500 Center Ridge Road, Westlake, Ohio 44145

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