Laura A. Canavesi, 65, of Beaver, passed away peacefully Saturday, November 19, 2016, at Good Samaritan Hospice surrounded by family. Always a fighter, she had fiercely battled breast cancer for years. An incredible woman with a bright shining light in her heart, Laura will be missed dearly, but will live on in her children and grandchildren.

Laura was born in Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 20, 1951. After an adventurous childhood with two older brothers, a little sister, and two exceptional parents, she graduated from Ben Davis High School in 1969. She attended Georgia Southern University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice in 1973. After living in Dubuque, Iowa, Rockford, Ill., and Naples, Fla., she settled in Chippewa Township, Pa., to raise her two children. She moved to Beaver, Pa., in 2001. She was passionate about helping others and volunteered for many worthy causes including AAUW, Chippewa Indians, Blackhawk Lil’ Cougars, Blackhawk Tip Off Club, Penn State Beaver, and The Open Table. Laura was also an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Beaver. That passion for helping others led to her eventual profession as a career placement officer and to the start of her own business, Citrus Bay Search.

Laura is predeceased by her loving parents, Charles H. Mains and Gwendolyn Johnston Mains. She is survived by her adoring children, Lacey Ann York (Brendan J. York) and Brooks Adam Canavesi (Jordan Canavesi); her five wonderful grandchildren, Colin J. York, Elizabeth Laura York, Caden C. Canavesi, Cruz A. Canavesi, and Lyla A. Canavesi, in addition to her three siblings, Steve Mains (Cindy Savage Mains), Tim Mains (David Gardner), and Roxie McNelly (Jim McNelly). Her children are saddened the grandchildren will miss the unconditional love of their GoGo.

Always living life to the fullest, Laura adored travelling, racing anything she could get her hands on, playing cards, going to dinner and the movies with friends and family, and supporting those in need! She was loving, thoughtful, generous, compassionate, meticulous, and protective, with a style and grace most women only strive to attain. To quote the late Stuart Scott, “when you die, that does not mean that you lose to cancer, you beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live.”

Please join us in celebrating her life Tuesday, November 22, 2016, at NOLL FUNERAL HOME INC., 333 Third St., Beaver, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral service will take place Wednesday, November 23, 2016, at First Presbyterian Church in Beaver at 11a.m. conducted by her pastor, the Rev. Jeffrey A. Arnold. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Rebuild Richwood Fund, c/o FPC, 252 College Avenue, Beaver, PA 15009 or McGuire Memorial Home, 2119 Mercer Road, New Brighton, PA 15066.

The family asks that you spend time with your children, take your friends out for ice cream, and make a toast to enduring friendships and beyond. That is what Laura wished for all of us.