LAURA DOLORES MANTHEY,

93, of Little Rock, passed away Saturday, March 30, 2024, at her home in Little Rock, with her husband Arthur, daughter Kathryn, and son-in-law Dan, by her side.

She was born February 24th, 1931, in South River, N.J., the daughter of Peter Dominiecki and Josephine nee Klimaszaski. She is preceded in death by her parents; as well as her two sisters, Viola and Eleanore.

Laura was a lifelong musician. She graduated from from South River High School in 1948 and went on to attend New York University, where she received a BA in Music Performance. She played violin in the North Carolina Symphony, Westside Symphony in New York (conducted by Joseph Eger), as well as the Memphis Symphony for many years between 1968 and 2010.

On August 4th, 1962, she married Arthur Manthey, who taught and maintained a research program for 34 years at UT Medical School in Memphis. Together they made many home recordings over the course of their 62-year marriage, playing both violin and viola.

Mimi set a wonderful example as a wife and a mother raising her two children. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, and sewing, in addition to playing professionally in the Memphis Symphony and taking care of many pets.

She is survived by her husband, Arthur Manthey of Little Rock; her son, Conrad Manthey of San Antonio, Texas; her daughter, Kathryn Samons and her husband Dan of Little Rock; as well as by her three grandchildren, Loren Samons of Franklin, Tenn., Anna Samons of Conway, and Andrew Samons of Little Rock.

Visitation is open to the public and will be held on Friday, April 5th, at 2 p.m. at Smith Little Rock Funeral Home with a memorial service immediately following at 3 p.m. Interment will be held later in a private ceremony. The family would like to express their appreciation to all those involved with Laura’s care over the past several months. Online guestbook at smithfamilycares.com