Laura Gajda passed away on January 4, 2024. She died 9 months after being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer after a recurrence of an original cancer diagnosis in 2020.

Laura was born October 14, 1958 in St. Louis, Missouri. Laura spent the majority of her youth in Chesterfield, Missouri and graduated from Parkway West High School where she was an active member of the Speech and Debate Club. Laura attended the University of Missouri- Columbia where she earned a Bachelors degree in Journalism. Laura earned a Masters of Business Administration from Maryville University and was a Fellow for the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy Association.

Laura initally worked for the Rolla Daily News. She then enjoyed a long and productive career in foundation and institutional fundraising. In Missouri she was employed by the Missouri Lottery, Phelps Regional Hospital, Lake Regional Hospital, and the University of Missouri in both Rolla and Columbia. Laura’s last role was with Richmond University Medical Center on Staten Island, NY where she assisted in the creation of a new Emergency Center.

Laura had a unique style and was very generous with her time. She was kind to everyone and was an inveterate hostess. Laura was a burner and attended regional burns in Missouri as well as Burning Man 2018. Laura loved genealogical research, and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution Knickerbocker chapter.

Laura was predeceased by her husband, Walter Gajda, Jr. and her parents Jack R. Niemi and Doris Gilley Niemi. She is survived by her only daughter Jacqueline of NYC; sister Sandra Niemi Kaiser (Sanford) of Denver, CO; brother John Niemi (Karen) of New Melle,MO; sister-in-law Cheryl Gajda Westall of Williamstown, MA, brother-in-law Thomas Gajda (Cathy) of Naples, FL,nieces Anne Kaiser of Denver,CO, Ava and Vivian Niemi of New Melle, Mo; nephews Andrew Kaiser (Bri) of Ann Arbor, MI, Joseph Kaiser of Boulder, CO, and Cash Niemi of New Melle,MO, grandniece and grandnephew Alice and Brock Kaiser of Ann Arbor, MI. Laura is also survived by friends David Harris, David Hicks, Niall Raithel-Owens, Dorota Koch, Natalia Hicks, Beth and Joe Effertz, Kim Rosello, Jacqueline Draper, and Gina Ferreri. Special thanks to Dan Messina and supporters at Richmond University Medical Center, and supporters at the Knickerbocker DAR.

Laura’s ashes will be interred next to her husband, Walter Gajda, in Adams MA. There will be a celebration of life on April 7th in Fraunces Tavern at 3pm for members of DAR. For more information about future memorials, contact Jackie Gajda. 

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