Laura Thiele

Lifelong Sag Harbor resident Laura Thiele died on January 26, at the Westhampton Care Center after a long illness. She was 80.

Born March 11, 1928, in Sag Harbor to John and Josephine Mysliborski, she graduated from Pierson High School in 1944. On October 1, 1950, she married Fred W. Thiele Sr., also of Sag Harbor. Devoted to her family and home community of Sag Harbor, she worked at the Bulova Watch Case Factory in Sag Harbor for more than two decades and later as the deli manager at Schiavoni’s Market in Sag Harbor.

She was also involved in many community activities. She often played bingo at the local Catholic church with her good friend Helen Labrozzi and, after retiring, enjoyed traveling with her friends, many of whom she had known all of her life. She enjoyed the beach, especially Long Beach, and loved music and dancing, survivors said, noting that Frank Sinatra was always her favorite.

An avid Pittsburgh Pirate and Pittsburgh Steeler fan, she was passionate about rooting for her sports teams. She tried never to miss their games when they were on television and stuck by the Pirates, despite 15 consecutive losing seasons. The Steelers’ current run to the Super Bowl still brought a 
smile to her face as she fought her recent illness, family said this week—a Terrible Towel was always at her bedside.

According to family she loved to spoil her grandchildren; they were the focus of her attention in her later years and she was always interested in hearing of their latest exploits.

She is survived by a son, 2nd District New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele Jr. of Sag Harbor; a daughter, Laurie Ann Garlock of Lockport; two grandsons, Jeffrey Thiele of Brooklyn and Michael Thiele of New Hampshire; and two granddaughters, Erin Garlock of Albany and Josephine Thiele of Sag Harbor, currently a student at Colby College in Waterville, Maine.

In addition to her husband Fred Sr., who died in 1982, she was predeceased by her only sister, Alyce Muller.

The family will receive visitors today, Wednesday, January 28, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Yardley and Pino Funeral Home in Sag Harbor. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, January 29, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Church in Sag Harbor. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Sag Harbor Ambulance Corps., P.O. Box 2725, Sag Harbor, NY 11963 would be appreciated by the family.