Carol Laufen

Carol Laufen passed away peacefully on February 27, 2025 at the age of 85 after a valiant battle with cancer. She was born on March 13, 1939 in the vibrant lower east side of New York City, and she carried her New Yorker spirit with her everywhere she went.

Carol's life was enriched by her love of family. She met her late husband Joseph Laufen at a party in her NYC apartment, an appropriate starting point for their marriage filled with friendship, adventure, and love. Not long after their wedding in 1965, they moved to South Orange, New Jersey where they raised their daughters Christine and Cindi, and beloved dog Jasmine. Only for the immense love of her daughters did she leave the city that shaped her (and begrudgingly learn to drive). 

Over the years, she and Joseph built a rich community in South Orange, which they left behind in a second to be nearer to Cindi, her husband Fitz, and their young grandchildren, Caitlin and Coco, in Massachusetts. The ease with which Carol and Joe rebuilt a community and friendships at Pine Hills in Plymouth is a testament to their loving and social natures, resilience, and kindness. They also frequently braved the 24-hour travel day to Sydney, Australia to spend time with Christine, her husband Mike, and their grandchildren, Jamie and Caroline. To Carol, this distance was an opportunity to explore the world with the people she adored. Her love for her family would have taken her anywhere, and with Joseph by her side, every journey was an adventure. Her dedication to her Joseph, especially in his time of need, illustrated her compassionate and caring nature and the strength of their relationship. 

Carol was a constant supporter of her grandchildren, to whom she was known as “Por Por,” attending every possible recital, sports game, and school event. She was immensely proud of both her children and her grandchildren, who equally cherished her warm and empathetic heart, and admired her tenacity, intelligence, and sharp sense of humour.

She was also a loving and attentive sister to Betty Chan, Ron Wu, and his wife Janice. Her siblings were her first and closest friends, travel companions, pillars of support. They leaned on each other during difficult times and shared countless experiences filled with joy, laughter, and fun. Her love for her sister Betty extended just as deeply in her relationship with her niece Pam, to whom she provided irreplaceable friendship, guidance, and loyalty.

In addition to a love of family, Carol possessed a thirst for knowledge that led to study at New York University and work in both advertising and computer programming in the healthcare sector. As a proud Chinese woman, Carol was a pioneer in these fields, an experience which strengthened her sense of identity and confidence in her ability to succeed. During retirement, Carol volunteered at local hospitals and worked at Plimoth Plantation's museum shop.

In her free time, Carol found immense joy in her wide range of interests. She was passionate about travel, tennis, and food(!). Her love for dogs was evident in her dedication to Jasmine and BaiLee, and her knack for finding a good bargain was unmatched, a trait which she undoubtedly passed down to her daughters and grandchildren.

The Linden Ponds community, where Carol spent her later years, was a paragon of friendship and connection in which she was extremely involved. Her presence and leadership in the Film Committee, Linden Paws, and the Asian Affinity Group was a source of comfort and camaraderie for those around her and a source of joy for her. 

She will be greatly missed by her family and friends, but they will carry her legacy of love and compassion with them always. 

All services will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in loving memory of Carol to Dana Farber cancer research.