Obituary of Lauret Fischer Crommett

Lauret Fischer Crommett, 65, of Augusta, peacefully went to be with the Lord on Friday morning, April 13, 2012, at MaineGeneral Medical Center after a long illness. She was surrounded by the love of her family and friends after living a life of compassion, strength and deep faith. Lauret was born August 18, 1946, in Newark, N.J., the daughter of Hamilton (Fred) and Laura (Blossom) Fischer. She moved to South China in 1954 and graduated from Erskine Academy in 1964. She received a nursing degree from Maine Medical Center School of Nursing in 1967. She graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington with a bachelor of science in community health education in 1986 and received a master's degree in public health from Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, Calif., in 1995. She worked as a charge nurse in pediatrics at Kennebec Valley Medical Center and was the office nurse at Kennebec Pediatrics. She was a school nurse at United Cerebral Palsy School in Augusta. Lauret was president and owner of a personal care agency, Danny & Friends, in Augusta. She was also a Clinical Nursing Instructor with Kennebec Valley Technical College in Fairfield, as well as a staff education specialist at MaineGeneral Medical Center. She spent the last ten years of her career as the director of nursing at Riverview Psychiatric Center in Augusta. She was affiliated with the American Public Health Association, Outreach Council for Critical Care, Coastal Health Educators, and Uplift Inc. She served two terms on appointments by the governor to the Maine State Council for Developmental Disabilities, and was a past president of the Friends of the Handicapped. She was a member of Families Matter and was Instrumental in the formation of day programming for adults with disabilities. Lauret was deeply involved with Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Augusta, serving as Head Deacon and worship leader, worship committee chair, a member of the church choir, played violin in the strings choir and was the parish nurse. Lauret's life was a calling of helping others: in her 44-year nursing career, her Christian ministry, her gift of education and her ability to mentor and lead. Her love of Jesus guided her into a life of service. She was a woman of gentle strength -- a sweet, loving, tender-hearted soul while at the same time possessing fierce Christian faith and conviction. She was accepting and compassionate, demonstrating the love of Christ to everyone she met. She was instrumental in advocating and assisting people with intellectual, physical and mental challenges. She loved her home, her children and grandchildren and enjoyed spending time in her garden, floating in Togus Pond, hunting for bargains at yard sales and taking trips to the coast of Maine. She is survived by her four children: John Crommett of New York, N.Y., Carrie Francis and her husband, Pau,l of Plymouth Mass., Daniel Crommett of Gardiner, Maine, and Krista Collins of Bowdoinham, Maine; her brother, Frederick (Rick) Fischer, and his wife, Anne, of South China, Maine; her grandchildren, Laura, Sarah and Ryan Francis of Plymouth; her former husband, John H. (Jack) Crommett Jr., of Augusta, along with several nieces and nephews and many dear friends. Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 20, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 209 Eastern Ave., Augusta. A memorial celebration of her life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 21, also at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, donations in Lauret's name may be made to the therapeutic horseback riding program at Friendship Stables in Augusta to assist people with intellectual disabilities, c/o Jackie McConkie, 200 Eight Rod Road, Augusta ME 04330.