Lauren Way

Griswold — Lauren Elizabeth Way, 58, of Griswold, passed peacefully on April 14. 2018, following a long battle with the ravaging effects of diabetes. She will be dearly missed. Born in Uncasville on Sept. 3, 1959, she was the daughter of Elizabeth (Hamlin) and the late Carol Ackles. Lauren graduated from St. Bernard High School in Uncasville.

She was first and foremost a caring and compassionate mother and grandmother. Her working career was spent in service to those less fortunate, most recently retiring due to illness last year from the Southeastern Department of Mental Health.

Lauren married her husband and partner of more than 40 years. Steven E. Way who survives her, on Aug. 16, 1980. Lauren, or “Mama Pooh” to her family, was a devoted mother and adoring grandmother. She is survived by her son Jeffrey and his wife Kelly and their twins, Austin and Dylan, of Westerly; her son Nicholas and his wife Christine and their sons, Jasper and Kilian, of Yorktown, Va.; her daughter Stephanie Romero and her husband Michael and their daughter, Isabella, of Griswold.

Also surviving Lauren are her niece Amanda Pink of New London, her mother Elizabeth Ackles of Uncasville, her sister Kerry Young of Uncasville, her brother David Ackles and sister-in-law Cindy of Uncasville, her sister Virginia Zanjani and brotherin-law Mustafa of Preston, her sister-in-law Robin Ackles of Norwich, and dozens of nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her brother Stephen Ackles, sister Judith Bojarski, and brother Kevin Ackles.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to a medical research charity in Lauren’s memory. In accordance with Lauren’s wishes, services will be a private event, with a celebration of life to be held in her honor at a later date.