Laura Elizabeth Ruch, 77, of Allentown, passed away peacefully Sunday, August 22, 2021, with the support and loving care of family and friends. A bright light has been extinguished that will live on in all who had the pleasure to know her.

Born in Springfield, Mass., she was a daughter of the late Kyle Carlin and Doris (Studley) Whitefield. Laura received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Connecticut College in 1966 and was employed at Mack Trucks for 35 years before retiring as a Billing Specialist in 2008.

She was a member of the Unitarian Congregation of West Chester, an ardent humanitarian, and a lover of the arts and nature. But what she will be remembered for most is that she was a keeper of stories: those of family history, those of places and special treasures, and mostly those of people. There was hardly a person with whom Laura did not connect with on a personal level quickly after meeting  ̶  learning and taking delight in details from their lives. She brought a light of earnest and attentive connection to all she encountered. Laura placed the care of others and the interest in their lives, whether a relative or a store clerk, above her own, and in that way touched so many with her spirit. Her light and love have been an inspiration to all who knew her.

Surviving are daughters, Harleigh Enid Willmott of Easton with her husband Edward Paul Ponikvar and Lisa Anne Kerschner of Cochranville; a son, Christopher Ruch of Mount Joy; a sister, Anne Eleanor Whitefield of Hot Springs, NC; brothers, George Dorsey and his wife Christine of Fleetwood and Robert Studley of Doylestown; and three grandchildren.

A service to celebrate Laura's life will be held Saturday, September 25, at  3pm EST on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82927954796 . (For those without a computer, you can listen in by phone. Dial (301)715-8592 and when prompted, enter meeting #82927954796)

Join us online to celebrate Laura's life with pictures, stories, words of wisdom, and special music. Guests will be automatically muted when joining Zoom but are invited to stay after the service for an open time of sharing. The service will be recorded for those who cannot attend. Please contact the family to request the recording link.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to www.artsquest.org/donate or Arts Quest, 25 West Third Street, Bethlehem, PA 19015.

Online condolences may be sent to www.pearsonfh.com.