Laura Louise Baker Thompson, age 77, 8130 Schell Avenue Evans Mills, New York, passed away on July 3rd at the Samaritan Keep Home, where she had been a resident for about 2 months while battling cancer. She was born on February 2, 1933 in Copenhagen, New York to Milton and Mary Smith Baker. She was the youngest of four children. Her siblings were Leon Durham, Jessie Jones, and Robert Baker. She was married to the love of her life, Robert James Thompson, on July 4th, 1949 in Dexter, New York. The couple lived in several areas of New York State due to her husband's career as an Operating Engineer and mechanic on many construction sites. They settled in Calcium in 1963 where they enjoyed a very happy marriage until Bob passed away suddenly on May 3, 1982. She remained a widow for the remainder of her life. She attended Watertown high school and was an honor student. She also graduated from Chrishelle's School of Cosmetology, and opened Laura's Beauty Salon, adjacent to her home in Calcium in 1970 which remained in business for almost 40 years. Many of her customers became cherished, lifelong friends. Laura loved her family and loved to be around people. She enjoyed food and cooking, and was known for making outstanding pies. Laura was very artistic, loved painting, making jewelry, crocheting, and was an avid crafter. Laura was a musician from childhood who played piano and organ, by ear and without the benefit of reading music. She used her musical talents to entertain and to provide music for many Jefferson County civic groups. In her teen years, she was a member of a Country and Western band with family members and friends. She was a seventh degree member of Pine Grove Grange, a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Amaranth, Home Bureau, The North Side Improvement League, and was the President of the Resident's Association of Milltown Housing. Laura is survived by her son, Robert Thompson and his wife Ruth, of Mountain Home Arkansas, her daughter, Robin Brand and her husband Mark of Indian Lake, NY, her son, Randy Thompson and his partner Cheri Geller of Syracuse, NY, her grandson Mark Robert Brand and his wife Beth of Evanston Illinois, her granddaughter, Brooke Ruzycky and her husband Walter of Evans Mills, NY, a granddaughter, Tracy Berner and her husband Ben of Fulton, NY, and her great-grandsons Allesandro and Kaden Berner , John Brand, and Gabriel Ruzycky,. She is also survived by her brother Robert Baker and his wife Helen, of Black River, NY and a large extended family of sister and brothers-in- law, and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews and many, many friends. Two of her nieces were like daughters to her; Trudy Felt and her husband Morris of Depauville, NY and her niece Terra House and her partner Dani Reed of Three Mile Bay, NY. Johnson Funeral Home in Dexter, New York has been entrusted with arrangements. The calling hours are from 2-4and 7-9 Wednesday. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 8th , at 11:00 a.m. at the Calcium Community Church, Route 342 Calcium, NY. Burial is in the Sanford Corners Cemetery in Calcium. A reception for the family and friends will be held at the church following the burial. Donations in Laura's name may be made to the Calcium Community Church, Calcium, New York 13616 and the Evans Mills Ambulance Squad, Noble Street, Evans Mills, NY 13637. The family wishes to thank the staff of the Samaritan Keep Home for the loving care Laura received, and to her many family members and friends who supported her through her long battle with cancer.