Laura Mary Kilpatrick, 60, of Torrington, Conn., died peacefully on March 7, 2013 surrounded by people who loved her, including her beloved friend, Joe Faucher.

Laura was born in Sumter, S.C., on March 25, 1952 and is the daughter of Marcelle (LeMaire) Kilpatrick and the late Robert J. Kilpatrick of Boothbay Harbor and Bristol Conn. 

Although intellectually disabled, Laura's life was filled with adventure, hard work, volunteering, and happiness. As a young girl in a career military family she traveled the world, living in Germany, Holland, South Carolina, Alabama and Florida. 

Upon her father's retirement from the United States Air Force, the family settled in Guilford, Connecticut where Laura attended high school and later work as a sternman on her father's lobster boat.

In 1973, Laura was one of the first clients trained by the Apple Doll Tea House in Guilford Conn., the first food service training program in the nation for people with intellectual disabilities. 

The training Laura received through SARAH ARC allowed her to lead a full and productive life. Laura later moved to the Bristol-Torrington area, and for the last 15 years has been lovingly supported by the many individuals and employees at Community Systems Inc. of Torrington. 

In addition to her mother, Laura is survived by her sister, Katherine Kilpatrick; brother in-law, Kenneth Voss; niece, Kara; nephew, Nick Voss; all of Miami, Fla.; and her family at the Westside group home: Bernie, Vina, Daniel, and all of the current and past staff.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 20 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 160 Main St., Torrington, Conn. A private burial in the Lemaire family plot will be held at St. Joseph Cemetery, Bristol, Conn. A private reception will be held after the Mass at the Log House restaurant, in Winsted, Conn. where Laura worked for the past 15 years.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Community Systems Inc. Vacation Fund, 295 Alvord Park Road, Torrington, CT 06790. 

The family is being assisted by Funk Funeral Home, Bristol Conn. Messages of condolence may be submitted to the family at www.funkfuneralhome.com/.