Obituary of Laurie C. Hagerich

Obituary of Laurie Christine (Heck) Hagerich (1944 – 2024)

Laurie C. Hagerich, age 79, of Madison, New Jersey, passed away after a short illness on April 30, 2024, surrounded by family and her devoted husband, Jay Hagerich.

Laurie was born in East Orange, New Jersey to Walter and Marion Heck, and after her family moved at age six, became a lifelong Madisonian. She graduated from Madison High School in 1962 and from Katharine Gibbs School before working as a real estate secretary at the law firm of Chiarolanza & DeAngelis.

Laurie was a member of the United Methodist Church in Madison for over 70 years. She sang in the choir, attended weekly Bible study, and served as treasurer for United Women in Faith. She helped establish UMC as a host for Family Promise of Morris County, which provides shelter and resources to families experiencing homelessness, and coordinated its program at the church. Her love of Madison and its history inspired her to serve as recording secretary for The Hartley Dodge Foundation (46 years), The Historic Preservation Committee (20+ years), and the Madison Historical Society, where she was also a board member.

Laurie was a woman of many interests and passions. When not at an art museum, concert, or Papermill production, she could be found strolling through The New York Botanical Garden, sailing through the countryside on her bike, or splashing in the waves of Ocean Grove with her family (mom, aunts, sisters, daughters, nieces, and grandchildren). She loved to travel, visiting Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Greece, Russia, Japan, China, and 30 of the 50 states (including Iowa, which she biked across 7 times during RAGBRAI). She loved singing with the Woman’s Club of Morristown Chorus and with The Rose City Songsters (where she was playfully known as “The Research Department” for her impromptu liner notes), and especially enjoyed sharing music in nursing homes.

Laurie is survived by her beloved husband of 57 years, Jay Hagerich; daughters Christie (Mark) Grzymala and Kim Hagerich; her devoted grandchildren, Ryan, Elyse, and Jason Grzymala; sister Marianne (Emanuel) Disporto, and many dearly loved cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. She is predeceased by her cherished sister Carolyn Currey.

A Memorial Visitation will take place on Friday, May 10, 2024 from 5-8pm at Burroughs, Kohr & Dangler Funeral Home, 106 Main Street, Madison. A Memorial Service for Laurie will be held on Saturday May 11, 2024 at 11:00am at The United Methodist Church in Madison, 24 Madison Avenue, Madison. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to The United Methodist Church in Madison (www.umcmadison.org).