Laurie Ann Walden Panovich

Laurie Ann Walden Panovich, loving daughter, devoted wife, dedicated full time public servant and part time angel passed away December 23rd after a nearly two-month battle with COVID-19

She was born in Urbana, New York December 29th, 1966, and leaves behind a loving family doing their best to honor her wishes and not grieve her death but celebrate her life. This includes her mother, Bonnie Makitra of Hornell, NY, stepfathers Michael Makitra of Hornell, NY and John Walden, brothers David (Jeremee) Walden of Bath, NY, Sean (Tina) Walden of Avoca, NY, many nieces and nephews, her mother-in-law Irene and husband Michael, who somehow convinced her to marry him in May of 2007. She is preceded in death by her brother Timothy Lynn Bates, her father Hollis Bates and her brother-in-law James David Panovich.

Laurie was a typical sister growing up, both adoring her brothers and being driven crazy by them. As a typical daughter her mother of course saw her in a similar light. She attended Haverling school in Bath, NY, then eventually Corning Community College in Corning, NY. After working for several years, she went back to school at Washburn University of Topeka, KS for her degree in Art and Education. She had many jobs in her life, but she really enjoyed her last job as a trainer for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. She loved helping others, but really loved teaching others how to do what she enjoyed.

Laurie loved good music of all varieties, computer games, horror movies and her family. She never wanted to be the center of attention, but she always just made people feel better by her quiet, smiling presence.

Laurie Ann, will be greatly missed and, remembered by all those who loved and knew her. A memorial is planned next year after such a gathering is safer. To all her friends and family, if you want to remember her, she loved the occasional Jim Beam Fire (she loved cinnamon) or just coffee with a splash of cinnamon creamer and watching Star Wars, the Walking Dead and especially The Stand (I think over the last decade she watched it more than 100 times).

And if you would like to remember Laurie in a special way please donate to The Stormont Vail Hospital & Trauma Center of Topeka, KS in her name.