Laurie Ann Mecca (Suchecki) departed our world on 28 August 2022 at her home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, surrounded by her loving family and her beloved dogs. This, after a 22-year battle with cancer that she fought courageously and without self-pity or open distraction. She lived her life to the fullest and only in her final moments did her illness slow her down. She was an amazing mom, wife, and overall person, always prepared, always giving, and making each and every day special for those around her. She often commented that her upbringing as a “Girl Scout” and learning about survival training from her uncle’s work at a local rescue squad gave her the instinctual skills to always be prepared and to make the most of everything she did.
She was a one-of-a-kind person, strong in her beliefs and focused on being the absolute best to those she loved and cared about—and, in her charitable efforts later in her life, to many more she never met but for whom she provided a better life. The “behind the scenes” Laurie, always helping others, was as big as the outward facing Laurie we all knew and loved. She had the touch of gold to make wonderful things possible in life and to help those around her find a better way, always with grace and natural simplicity. If you had to describe her with one word, she was genuine.
As her life neared the end, the immense goodness she brought others over her 59 years showed itself in the long list of those who wanted to visit, and those in Heaven who gladly awaited her arrival. The peace and tranquility she experienced at her home with family and friends enabled her to let go with comfort as she quietly departed without issue, peacefully, and surrounded by love.
Born Laurie Ann Suchecki in Rockville, Connecticut to Alexander (Al) and Irene Suchecki (Kupchunos) on 1 March 1963, Laurie was the oldest of three siblings. She is survived by two younger brothers, Stephen Suchecki and Michael Suchecki, and their families. She enjoyed lifelong friendships, many of whom visited during her last days. Early in her life, she loved venturing to Rhode Island beaches and worked diligently to help her family and those around her. She graduated from Rockville High School and attended University of Hartford. She was passionate about everything she set out to do, from waitressing to catering (a family business) to accounting at a local building supply business, where she made lifelong friends.
Through those friendships, she met her husband, Len. It was also early in her life that her love for dogs emerged, beginning with her beloved family dog, Ben, who was very special to her. She would go on to be an amazing “dog mom” to many, both directly and indirectly through her charitable work over the next 40 years. Her family was involved in the Polish American Club and her parents and their siblings all shared a close bond within the Rockville/Vernon/NE Connecticut region and carried on many Polish traditions. Laurie was well-liked by all those she met. She had a talent for making people feel at ease, which fostered many lifelong friendships with those she touched through her ongoing efforts as a mom, a wife, a sister, and just being a genuinely exceptional person to all she came in contact with. Her “fan club” was immense and her capacity for giving to and caring for others equally so.
She managed her giving foundation to help with animals, provided local family assistance to those who needed help bouncing back from adversity, helped foster children who were entering adult life without a family, and contributed to countless other causes where she felt a passion for helping. She also helped manage the family businesses and was always gracious and giving to those who helped her and the family. If there was one thing she was not, it was selfish or self-centered in any way.
Although very traditional and simple in her ways, she had an adventurous streak: freestyling Europe, visiting family in what was then West Germany, and taking three weeks to work her way around Australia and New Zealand. She traveled many places before children, while growing her family, and later with all four Mecca children in tow. Australia was a favorite as was Hawaii, but the top of her list was touring Poland, tracking down some relatives and seeing all the many things she had heard about growing up “Polish.” She embraced learning how to make traditional Polish foods and seeing all the many churches that were signature to Poland. Laurie’s love for dogs and vice-versa was evident in Poland where, day after day, local dogs came up to greet her, coining her nickname as “the dog whisperer.” Dogs were a very important part of her life, and before moving to Florida in early 2015, the family marked the passing of our beloved West Highland Terrier, Scotty Dean, who is at her side now as she greets her many pre-deceased family and friends. He was special to her and to everyone around. As the kids grew up, we developed friendships within the Orlando theme park areas and soon became regulars as the kids’ passion for adventure, no doubt inherited from Laurie, blossomed. Laurie was always willing to join them on the wildest of rides, showing no fear as roller coaster after thrill ride became the quest whenever we could get to Orlando.
Most important to Laurie were her children to whom she provided unconditional love, focus, and attention for 32+ of her 59 years. She saw each child’s special differences gave them the “touch of Mom” to become who they are today. All the good in Laurie is captured in each child in their own individual way and despite the geographic miles, we were fortunate to have everyone together in her final weeks and to be there as her spirit passed. Special friends helped us make the process easier, and we can’t thank them enough for their assistance and their love. Nothing will replace Laurie’s absence nor fill the void she leaves in all our lives, though as she said to a niece recently, “Don’t cry, I may not be here, but I will always be with you,” and this is what we will all have to hold going forward.
Laurie enjoyed crafting, creating unique items, and planning every event with meticulous care. Lists were her thing, making sure she never forgot a detail. She shopped regularly to make sure that the perfect gift was ready in time for a birthday or special event, never missing a date and always finding the perfect card or item of interest. Even when her illness made it hard for her to get around, she still found a way to do it all. Holiday time was a passion for Laurie: she decorated and created all year long and always looked to make each year even more grand, dreaming up new ways to celebrate and opening her home to many. Be it a Holiday Open House or a Special Birthday Celebration… years later people still remembered all the enjoyment and details, all part of that passion for making others happy, a very special part of Laurie.
She is survived by her loving husband of 38 years, Len; her loving children; Lauren, Allyson (husband Ryan), Brian, and Kimberly; her very special three dogs Chandler, Griffin, and Beau; brothers Stephen (wife Holly) and his family and Michael (wife Darlene) and his family; her Uncle John Kupchunos (wife Marie); many cousins; Len’s extended family; and a long list of close family friends. She is predeceased by her parents and her beloved dog, Scotty, and Len’s parents, especially his mom Josephine “Nanny Jo,” with whom she enjoyed a unique bond and countless hours of enjoyment. Only Laurie could show a 95+ year old Nanny Jo how to use a cell phone, having the special patience of a mother, the light-heartedness to bring laughter to any situation, and the imagination to bring creative insights—all with her signature, unique grace.
Laurie lived 52 of her 59 years in Connecticut; most of those years in Avon where she raised her family, made countless friends, and developed strong community relationships. She enjoyed her early driving years with muscle cars, a favorite of her Dad’s and then onto Northeast Florida for 7+ years, where she enjoyed new friends and new surroundings while finding time for a few runs of the Daytona 500, her youth and her Dad’s passion merging as she never lost sight of her upbringing and her family.
Her family will receive friends Friday, September 9, 2022 from 5-8 PM at the Carmon Funeral Home & Family Center, 301 Country Club Road, Avon.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 10 AM directly at the Church of Saint Ann, 289 Arch Road, Avon. Private burial will be in Florida. A Celebration of Laurie’s Life Reception will be held immediately following the Mass. In keeping with Laurie’s passion for dogs and for helping others, in lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to Out to Pasture Farm & Rescue in Newington, CT or to Saint Joseph Parish in Rockville, CT. For directions or condolences please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.
