Laurel (Gronostalski) Burdon

West Brookfield - Laurel (Gronostalski) Burdon, 67, of Lake Shore Drive Ext. in West Brookfield succumbed to advanced stage breast cancer and died on Friday, March 27, 2020 in the Rose Monahan Hospice Home in Worcester. 

She leaves her husband of nearly 50 years, Kim M. Burdon; her daughter, Brie Armstrong and her husband Ryan of Brighton, CO; her son, Benjamin Burdon and his husband Shane of North Smithfield, RI; three grandchildren Colton, Rylee, and Royce all of Brighton, CO, and three brothers, Ted, Chester (Chip) and Steve Gronostalski. She also leaves her many friends.  She was born in Northampton, daughter of the late Chester and Lorraine (Niedbala) Gronostalski.  She and Kim lived in Sturbridge for 25 years, before moving to West Brookfield 9 years ago. 

Laurel was a wonderful person and wife and a devoted mother who handled her disease with grace and courage. She was very proud of her role as a religious educator leading the religious education program at the Brookfield Unitarian Universalist Church for over 20 years as Director until she was forced to resign in January of this year. 

A virtual celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, July 11th at 10:30 AM. This service will be hosted on the ZOOM meeting platform. If you would like to join her family and other friends in this service please send an e-mail to laurelburdon@charter.net with the word “CELEBRATION” in the subject line and the details of the service and the ZOOM meeting information will be sent to you by return e-mail. If you have not received this information by midnight Saturday, July 4th please follow up with a second e-mail.

In lieu of flowers and other remembrances, please make a contribution to the Brookfield Unitarian Universalist Church General Fund in Laurel’s name at P.O. Box 386, Brookfield, MA 01506.

Varnum Funeral Home, Inc., 43 East Main St., in West Brookfield is assisting her family with arrangements. 

An online guest book is available at varnumfuneralhome.com 

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