Laura Marie Beaulieu

Laura Marie Beaulieu, 55, of Baldwin City, KS, passed away Friday, August 19, 2016 at Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas. She was born December 3, 1960 at South Bend, IN the daughter of Richard J. Chwalek and Dorothy Ann (O'Connell) Chwalek. Laura graduated from Centerville High School, Centerville, IA with the class of 1978 and then attended Northeast Missouri State, Kirksville, MO, graduating with a degree in Special Education in 1983. She later attained her Master's Degree from Mid-America Nazarene University. Laura was a 31 year educator for U.S.D. 348, Baldwin City, KS at Baldwin High School as a Special Education Instructor. She was an active member of the local K.N.E.A. and spent many years on the negotiations committee always fighting for her fellow teacher. She volunteered constantly for A.R.C. and was always willing to donate her time and effort to her current and former students as they expanded their lives in the world. On May 21, 1983 Laura was united in marriage to Dan Beaulieu in St. Joseph, MO. Dan and Laura shared thirty-three years of loving marriage together. Dan survives of the home. She is also survived by her daughters, Sarah Beaulieu and Taylor White of Baldwin City, Elizabeth Beaulieu and Ben Hartman of Lawrence; son, Joshua Beaulieu and Callie Craig of Baldwin City; four siblings, Ann Chwalek and Ronnie Chidester of Albia, IA, Richard Chwalek and Susan Chwalek of Monticello, MN, Margaret Bales and David Bales of Arlington, TX, Rebecca Starkweather and Jim Starkweather of Lake George, CO; three grandchildren, Asher White, Luca White, Taya Chesher; and many uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews of the Chwalek and O'Connell Clans. She was preceded in death by her parents; son-in-law, James Chesher; sister, Mary Elizabeth Chwalek; and two nieces Kelsie and Gabriel Starkweather. Laura was a dedicated Roman Catholic, with a special devotion to Our Lady of Guadeloupe and Our Lady of Notre Dame. Her maternal manner, friendly disposition and advocacy for others were a huge part of her 31 years of success as a Special Education teacher at Baldwin High School. She supported, encouraged and believed in her students with unwavering compassion and keen wisdom. She was the voice for the unheard and always believed in the potential of others, often when they doubted themselves. Her determination and ever present faith in her students gave them the courage to conquer life's challenges and obstacles. Laura's genuine devotion to her students continued beyond high school and into lifetime bonds. For Laura, whether with students or those in her family, she only saw the beauty in others and was never one to pass judgement, except, maybe sometimes occasionally with her husband, Dan. Above all else, Laura was a matriarch's matriarch - and her family stretched far beyond The Beaulieu and Chwalek families. Loved ones, extended family, and friends routinely gathered to celebrate birthdays, special occasions and all holidays with joy, wonderful food, the occasional water balloon fight, long stretches of animated conversation and out-of-control bursts of laughter. Her manner was kind, respectful and enduringly light. Whether with children, grandchildren or students, Laura knew when a quiet uplifting word, a gentle tease or an affirming touch was needed. Whether you knew her as Mrs. Beaulieu, Mom, or Nana, Laura was a beacon of hope and perseverance. Nana was so determined to win her battle with cancer, not even broken vertebrae in her neck could stop her. Laura was and will always be a superhero. Laura was to our family, in the words of T.S. Eliot, the "still point of [our] turning world," all our family dynamics revolved around her loving kindness, compassion and empathetic stance. She may be missed, but will always be with us. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 2, 2016 at Annunciation Catholic Church, Baldwin City. A Celebration of Life will follow the Mass at the Performing Arts Center on Friday. A Rosary will be said at 6:30 p.m., followed by a visitation from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, September 1, 2016 at the church. The family suggest memorial contribution be made to The Baldwin Education Foundation Attn. Laura Beaulieu Mardi Gras Diversity Day at Baldwin City High School sent c/o Lamb Roberts Funeral Home; PO Box 64, Baldwin City, KS 66006. Online condolences may be shared at www.lamb-roberts.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Laura Marie Beaulieu please visit our Sympathy Store.

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