On Tuesday December 26, 2017, Jean L. Laughner, 85 of Erie, passed away unexpectedly in her home. Jean was born in Pittsburgh on April 2, 1932, daughter of the late Renee & Valine Schmitter of Alsace, France. She was a graduate of St. Justine's HS, Pittsburgh.
She moved to Erie in 1962 with her husband, the late James I. Laughner, former Amsco executive and owner of Kinetics Biomedical Services.
Jean loved life and lived it to the fullest. She was a long time parishioner of St. George Catholic Church and a member of the Pennbriar Athletic Club. She played for many years in women's tennis leagues as well as being an enthusiastic daily participant in aerobic and Pilate's classes. Jean also loved the culinary arts and was well known for her great "eats" and her favorite daily trips to Wegman's. She also enjoyed domestic and international travel. Jean was an avid reader, a wiz with a crossword puzzle, and she also never met a Mahjong board she didn't like.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, James I. Laughner in October 2016 and infant son Paul Laughner.
Jean is survived by daughter Lynn of Dayton, Ohio; son James of Stuart, Fla; son Gene of Erie; daughter Jennifer of Pittsburgh; five grandsons Kyle, Austin, Sam, Michael, and Noah; great-granddaughter Arianna; loving sister Jackie of Boston; nephews Paul, Mark; and niece Danielle.
She was taken so suddenly and will be sadly missed by all for her infectious smile, her kindness to friends as well as strangers, and her great enthusiasm for this life.
Published in the Erie Times-News on Dec. 31, 2017
