Laura B Koback
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Laura B. (Galloway) Koback, 90, formerly of North Providence and North Smithfield, Rhode Island, passed away peacefully on April 30th surrounded by family, in Tarpon Springs, FL. She was married to the late James F. Koback who passed away in 1992. Born in Oxford, Maine, she was a daughter of Frank and Lilian (Daniels) Galloway. When the family moved to Rhode Island, they settled in Burrillville and she graduated from Burrillville High School.
Laura enjoyed a long and varied work history. After high school, she worked for Najarian's Dept. Store in Woonsocket, where she met her husband, and later became a stitcher for Finkelstein's Clothing Manufacturer, serving two terms as the local union president. As president, her union efforts were recognized on the local, state and federal levels. She left Finkelstein's to raise her youngest son. Laura later returned to work for the Outlet Department Store in Lincoln where she was trained and certified by Lancome and Clinique cosmetics. When the Outlet closed, she returned to school and graduated from the Arthur Angelo School and worked as a cosmetologist for several years before retiring. She remained active and enjoyed trips with friends, dancing, reading, dining out, gardening, family events and relaxing by the pool. Her grandchildren held a special place in her heart and she loved spending time with them especially cheering them on at their little league and softball games and school events.
Laura lived most of her life in North Smithfield with her husband where she was a communicant of St. Paul Church, later moving closer to her family in North Providence where she attended Our Lady of the Presentation Church.
Laura moved to Florida in 2010 with family and lived independently until very recently. She made many good friends and enjoyed going on trips, attending potlucks, playing bingo and helping to plan community events. She was an avid Tampa Bay Rays fan.
She is survived by her sons Michael and Christopher and their families; her grandchildren Jonathan and Annalise as well as several nieces, nephews and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Paul Church, 48 St. Paul St., Blackstone, MA on Friday, August 16, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Paul Cemetery.