Laurie Ann Sapienza passed away on 20 April 2023 after a brief illness, and the world lost a good, good person.
Born in Cheyenne on 25 June 1956, Laurie left Wyoming after briefly attending the University of Wyoming and moved to Arizona. She lived in Arizona for most of her adult life but retuned to Cheyenne in 2004. Laurie was the primary caregiver for her parents as they aged, and she spent countless hours devoted to their care. Laurie loved to write poetry and was a voracious reader. One of her poems was published, but many others just ended up in spiral notebooks. She loved animals, and was a frequent rescuer of dogs and birds. Each dog she rescued was treated to a wonderful life of being loved unconditionally, although it is hard to judge who profited most from the relationship. You may be sure that many animals who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge just welcomed her to Heaven.
Laurie was preceded in death by her parents, John S. Sapienza and Fern Hegler Sapienza. She is survived by her siblings: John and Carol Sapienza of Brunswick, Maryland ; Lynn and Tim Olsen of Eugene, Oregon; Jerral and Jennifer Sapienza of Portland, Oregon; nephews Tom (Amber) Sapienza, Dan (Vanessa) Sapienza, Nathan (Rain) Olsen and niece JennaMaria Sapienza. She is also survived by her long-time dearest friend, Karen Doty-Hudson and her husband Gary of Orange, Texas.