Lauren Anne Gagne-Dwyre

WESTON, CONN Lauren Gagne-Dwyre of Weston, Connecticut passed away peacefully in her home on Monday, March 29, 2010 following a courageous battle against cancer. She was surrounded by the love of her family and friends. She was 48. Born in Gardner, Massachusetts, Lauren was the daughter of Carolyn and Francis Gagne. She left Massachusetts in 1979 to attend Georgetown University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree at the School of Foreign Service in 1983. While attending Georgetown, she met the love of her life and her best friend Stephen Dwyre. After seven years of courtship they married, traveled the world and had children. They were joyfully married for 24 years. Lauren's life was extraordinary. Adventurous and spirited, Lauren joined the Peace Corp after college and went to Mauritania, West Africa where she worked with the Dutch aid agency as an extension agent helping local farmers with new techniques of irrigated agriculture. Once married, she and her husband lived in Gabon, Tunisia, Poland, Finland, and England. During this time, Lauren balanced a career in international finance with her devotion to family and friends, including two years at the University of Helsinki where she earned her MBA. Together, Lauren and Steve raised three beautiful children, Nathaniel 21, Gregory 19, and Claire 17. Lauren kept her roots in the United States, despite her years abroad. The family lived in rural Maine during the summer months. There, she pursued her love of nature and the out-of-doors. Hiking, sailing, and tennis were her passions. Eventually, upon their return from their international adventures, Lauren and the family settled in Weston, CT. Lauren was a deeply spiritual person who saw wonder in the world around her. "Quicken our Faith to match our Knowledge" was a common prayer at their family dinner table. She was an active member at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Weston and participated in the Bible Study program. She was a competitive tennis player, gourmet chef, caregiver to family and friends, volunteer, and an educator. Despite a seven year battle, she never let her illness define her. Though she will be missed as wife, mother, sister, daughter-in-law, and friend, we will celebrate her life, her strength, her compassion. Along with her husband Steve, Lauren is survived by her three children Nathaniel, Gregory, and Claire. She also leaves behind her parents, Francis and Carolyn Gagne, and three brothers: Luke Gagne of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Matthew Gagne of Leominster, Massachusetts, and Mark Gagne of San Francisco, California. Lauren's family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, April 01, 2010 in Norwalk's Hoyt-Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 5 East Wall Street from 4:00PM - 8:00PM. Her funeral will be held on Good Friday, April 02, 2010 at 9:15AM from the parlor, where the funeral cortege will proceed to St. Francis of Assisi Church, 35 Norfield Road, Weston, where The Liturgy of the Word will be celebrated at 10:00AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00AM on Monday, April 05, 2010, in St. Francis of Assisi Church, Weston. Interment will be held privately, at the convenience of the family. The Rev. Monsignor Nicholas V. Grieco will officiate. You may leave condolences on this page by selecting "Sign The Guestbook" to the right of this page. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FLORAL ARRANGEMENT ORDERS THROUGH: BRAACH'S HOUSE OF FLOWERS IN SOUTH NORWALK BY CALLING 203.866.5963. FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE DELIVERED PROMPTLY TO THE PARLOR.