Laura G. Mizen

Laura Genevieve (Terrell) Mizen passed away peacefully at DYouville Senior Care Center, Lowell, on Monday morning, March 18th. She would have celebrated her 99th birthday on April 3rd.

Born in Oyster Bay, Long Island on April 3rd, 1914, she was the fifth of six children, and the last surviving. She fell in love with the boy next door, Robert Mizen, and they eloped on New Years Eve, December 31st, 1934, a marriage that lasted 63 years. They had two sons: Larry Rob, born on January 14th, 1936, and Bruce, born October 16th, 1952. The greatest sorrow of Lauras life was the tragic loss of Bruce, who drowned in the Fraser River in Canada on June 19th, 1973, at age 20.
Laura, a devoted wife and mother, was also fiercely independent, remarkably resilient, artistic and resourceful. In 1942, when Bob enlisted in World War II, Laura went to work as an inspector for Republic Aircraft while her husband was away for three years. Lauras other jobs included secretarial work at Doubleday Publishers, where she met her lifelong friend, Marian Brooks, and flower arranging which she enjoyed all her life, a fitting hobby for a woman whose husband was a rose grower.
In 1972, Laura and Bob moved to Melbourne, Florida, to join other family members. There they enjoyed gardening, and caring for their lovely little home at 4364 Maxwell Drive, as well as concerts, reading and social activities. In 1986, they graciously welcomed Nancy, Larry Robs new wife, into the family along with her three children, who were blessed to acquire a new set of loving grandparents.

After Bob passed away in January, 1998, Laura came to Chelmsford, Massachusetts, to help feather Rob and Nancys empty nest. She was glad to be close to her dear sisters- and brothers-in law and nieces in Monson, and to her grandchildren and new generation of great-grandchildren. Always purposeful, Laura busied herself helping with all the household chores. At holidays or family gatherings, she worked tirelessly in the kitchen with Nancy, fueled always by the indispensable cup of tea with lemon. She adapted graciously to a vegetarian diet. Every day at 5:00, she hosted the daily party, consisting of a glass of sherry with her ubiquitous graham crackers.

Laura was a great fan of all of Larry and Nancys concerts, which she attended with joyous enthusiasm. She knitted blankets and sweaters for the great-grandkids, read all of Danielle Steeles novels, called the relatives, cared for the cats, enjoyed dining out for lunch with her dear friend, Joanne. She exhibited great interest in the activities of the kids and grandkids, listened with empathy, and rarely complained about anything. She assumed the role of loving and venerated matriarch, an integral part of the family.

Despite her affliction after she suffered a stroke in May, 2011, which left her paralyzed on the left side, Laura maintained her positive demeanor. She had a smile for everyone, and was beloved by her wonderful new family at DYouville Senior Care Center. She had an extraordinary talent for making the best of a bad situation, and continuing to shine.

Laura will be missed by her son Larry, daughter-in-law Nancy, grandchildren and spouses Julia and Andy, Matthew and Laurie, Sara and Andre, great-grandchildren Jacob, Jasmine, Zachary, Hannah, Olivia, Paul and Caroline, and all the Mizen and Terrell cousins. Her spirit endures, and she will always be an inspiration, forever in our hearts.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, May 12th, at Congregation Shalom, 87 Richardson Road, North Chelmsford, at 11:30, to be followed by a luncheon buffet.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Nashua Chamber Orchestra, P.O. Box 1679, Nashua, NH 03061, or Andover Choral Society, P.O. Box 633, Andover, MA 01810.