Laura McKean
Gales Ferry — Laura “Lee” McKean passed away peacefully, beloved husband by her side, April 25, 2024. She was born March 20, 1939, in Meriden, to Mary A. Vega and John W. Kassabian.
“Lee,” as she was known to friends, graduated from Hollywood High School in 1957. In 1960, she married John F. McKean, with stints spent living on both coasts while her husband served in the Coast Guard. The couple settled in Gales Ferry in 1972 with their two boys. Laura spent time working in the dog breeding and showing arena. Her passion was Pulis, Hungarian Sheepdogs. The business took her to Hungary in search of breeding stock, and all over the United States to dog shows, winning several Best in Breed awards. Laura also obtained her real estate license. She spent many years buying, renovating, renting and “flipping” houses in Gales Ferry, Ledyard and the surrounding area. Her experience traveling led her to purchase a van and then an RV in which she travelled up and down the Eastern Seaboard. She kept a house on the Canadian island of Grand Manaan for many years.
In 2005, Laura married Lawrence “Larry” Gorham of Gales
Ferry. They spent many happy years traveling to Europe, the Carribean, Grand Manan, visiting with friends, taking afternoon drives through Pachaug forest, and watching the wildlife on their pond. Laura was known for her sense of humor, a positive outlook, her talent for interior design, and her kindness. She loved to tell a joke and make someone smile; and she was always willing to help someone if she could.
She cared about all the wild animals of nature, at one point keeping a rescued skunk as a pet. She loved to feed the birds, racoons, geese and deer, and did her best even to not harm any insects.
She was a loving mother, wife and friend. Laura was predeceased by her first husband, John J. McKean. She leaves behind her second husband, Lawrence M. Gorham; sons Jack and Mike McKean; daughter-in-law Carla; and granddaughter Sandrini McKean, of Tampa, Fla.; stepchildren, Laurie Gorham of Gales Ferry and Eric (Julia) Gorham of Norwich. Gagne-Piechowski Funeral Home (www.gagnefuneralhome.com) is handling arrangements. A memorial service will be planned for later in the spring.