Obituary of Laura Frascatore

Laura passed away peacefully at her home on March 6, 2024, at the age of 75.

Laura was born in Paterson, NJ, in April 1948 to Ruth and John Van Dyken. She shared their lively home in Wayne, NJ, with her five siblings.

Both of her parents, grandmother, and aunt were educators, and Laura naturally followed them into the family business. Laura attended West Liberty University in West Virginia, where she met her husband and best friend, John.

Upon graduation, Laura earned a unique combination of dual teaching certifications in art and physical education. These credentials allowed her to share her two passions, movement and art.

After graduation, Laura and John returned to NJ and settled in Parsippany, where they made their home for the last 44 years and raised their two children, Leigh and Paul, who were the light of her life.

While teaching physical education and art at Parsippany Hills High School, Laura founded the Girls Varsity Track Team. Her initiative created the first opportunity for young female athletes to experience the value of high school competitive sports. Laura finished her career at Brooklawn Middle School as a full-time art teacher.

In addition to being an active working mother who was involved in all facets of her busy children’s lives, Laura was a lifelong learner who continued to challenge herself with graduate art courses that fed her creative nature. Her goal in life was to inspire her family and students to see the beauty in the everyday world. She especially enjoyed introducing her grandsons to her art studio and all the magic that it held.

Laura loved hiking, camping, traveling, painting, sculpting, and creating art from found objects. She specifically loved gathering materials from Florida beaches, where she made beautiful memories with her extended family.

Laura is deeply loved and missed by her surviving family members: her husband John, her son Paul, daughter-in-law Alissa, daughter Leigh, son-in-law Steve, and her four adoring grandsons John, Declan, Bennett, and Glen. Laura is also survived by her sisters, Linda Weinmann and Missy Van Dyken, as well as extended family members, including brothers and sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. Laura was predeceased by her brothers, Jacob and Edward Van Dyken, and sister, Dorothy Van Dyken.

Laura’s family will host a celebration of her life this summer, and they hope those who love her will join them. Those interested may send contributions to the American Cancer Society in her memory.

Arrangements were under the care of Dangler Funeral Home, Morris Plains, NJ.