Lauren Ashley Ladley

Today we celebrate Lauren Ashley Ladley. Lauren captivated her family from day one being the firstborn granddaughter and niece and always knew she was going to play a big role from the beginning. As a little girl, she loved her pack of wild cousins, loud aunties, goofy uncles, and doting grandparents with every ounce of her being. Lauren made childhood memories sweeter with every ghost story, decorated birthday locker, burnt bag of popcorn and trip to the joke shop.

She grew into her role as a vibrant, inquisitive, faith-driven student who always gave more. Lauren lived to learn and share the gift of knowledge with everyone around her. So much so, that she went back to her alma mater to teach Spanish at St. Francis High School and leave her mark on the theatre department. Her academic accolades included an honorary degree in Education and Spanish from North Central College and more impressively two master’s degrees in education. She found her true calling at Holy Family as the Spanish teacher and children’s choir director.

Lauren’s approach to her students went beyond the textbook. Hundreds of trips, adventures, and time abroad in Spain gave Lauren her spark. She infused her lessons with the same excitement and culture. It wasn’t uncommon to find Lauren ziplining alongside twenty students through the Costa Rican jungle. Stepping into Lauren’s classroom was like being transported. Bright paper marigolds hung from the ceiling and colorful pinatas sat on the windowsills with Lauren at the front of the room doing what she was truly called to do.

Lauren filled the Ladley house with an infectious laughter that you’d hear pulling into the driveway. Giant spiderwebs draped across the porch, a perfectly curated stocking for her cat Tinkerbell, or sneaky trick candles atop her dad’s birthday cake, Lauren could take any moment, big or small, and turn it into pure magic. In every memory of Lauren, we perfectly see her beaming smile, bright eyes, meticulously manicured nails, and keen sense for accessorizing.

To Lauren’s mom, Sue, thank you for giving Lauren a best friend, a tender heart, and a fierce loyalty to family. To her dad, Walt, we admire your shared zest for life and exuberant energy. Thank you two for reminding us that the smallest can, in fact, be the mightiest. To all of Lauren’s students, who sees and loves you for who you are and will forever watch you shine from above. We know Lauren wishes infinite happiness for her family and friends. It is our mission to carry on her vibrant legacy from this day on.

Lauren will live on through her family; her parents, Walter and Susan Ladley; her grandmother, Patricia Mencotti; her aunts and uncles, Joe Mencotti, Deborah and Mike McNallan, Jan Hussey and Diane Ladley; her cousins, Kevin and Sara Hussey, Kristen and Aaron Nichols, John and Macey Hussey, Leslie and Joe Basa, Emma Hussey, James Siwik, Owen McNallan, Matty McNallan and Trevor Mencotti. She is now with grandma Norma and grandpa Walter Ladley, grandpa John Mencotti and aunt Karen Mencotti.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 A.M Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at Holy Family Catholic Church 4401 Highcrest Rd. Rockford with Reverend Phillip Kaim officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford and again from 9:00 A.M. until 9:45 A.M. at the church on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, we hope to support the family during this difficult time via Lauren Ladley’s Go Fund me page or donations may be made in Lauren’s name to Holy Family Catholic School. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.