Laura Marie Nolan, the former mayor of North Haven Village, died recently at her home in Boynton Beach, Florida. She was 62.
Ms. Nolan was born on May 7, 1958 in Bethpage to Walter and Arlene (Kaible) Shattenkirk. A 1976 graduate of JFK High School, she grew up in Bellmore with her three brothers Ray, Walter and Adam Shattenkirk.
An avid local and offshore sailor, Ms. Nolan lived in Tortola, British Virgin Islands for a brief period of time, and later became a licensed captain on a large private yacht.
In 1981, she moved to Sag Harbor, where her passion for sailing continued. She later married Robert Gobright and became a devoted and loving mother to daughter Vanessa in 1988.
Her many talents include painting and varnishing, which she pursued as a living for years, providing high quality work for which she was respected by all who shared in her trade.
In 1991, she purchased a home in North Haven and was remarried to John J. Nolan, a talented local cabinetmaker, who predeceased her. His early demise in 2011 was a great sorrow and loss to Ms. Nolan.
Mr. Nolan had two daughters from a previous marriage, Katie and Kerry, whom Ms. Nolan was very fond of and remained close to. They both were graduates of Southampton High School.
In addition to being a wonderful mother, Ms. Nolan had other passions and accomplishments that defined her life on the East End, according to those close to her.
She was elected for five successive terms as mayor of the Village of North Haven, where she was known as a diligent and dedicated elected official.
She was selected by The Sag Harbor Express as its “Person of the Year” in 2004, and was also a member of the PTA at Pierson High School. She enjoyed entertaining, composing festive holiday meals, and loved being in the kitchen and cooking with her family and friends. She was skilled at just about anything she set her mind to and possessed great and detailed knowledge in a variety of disciplines, according to those who knew her.
Prior to moving to Florida in 2014, Ms. Nolan managed Harbor Marina in East Hampton. All who knew her were impressed with her selflessness, youthful vibrancy, and fun loving spirit, those close to her said.
She is survived by her daughter Vanessa Bogan and husband Vince; granddaughter Layla Bogan; two step-daughters, Katie Nolan and Kerry Nolan; step-granddaughter Remy Fitch; three brothers, Ray Shattenkirk, Walter Shattenkirk and Adam Shattenkirk; step-mother Bobbi Shattenkirk; and eight nieces and nephews.