With the deepest of sorrow, we announce the passing of Laura Ann Hines from natural causes on Sept. 11, 2025 in her home in Dumont, NJ.  She was seventy-nine years old.  An avid reader and student of life, Laura’s greatest comfort came in the company of friends and family.  Born in the Bronx on April 26, 1946 to Andrew McGauley and Ann McGauley (née Carey) and raised in Cresskill, NJ, she was a devoted mother and grandmother, and a fierce friend, remembering every birthday, holiday or meaningful occasion. She made every effort to make them all a little more special.  She raised her two children into successful adults, and cared tirelessly for her own parents in their twilight:  to Laura, family was everything.  She worked for decades as a corporate and legal administrative assistant.  She served her community for many years as an EMT in the Dumont Volunteer Ambulance Corp. while furthering her education at Bergen Community College.  Laura was spending her retirement gardening, cooking and sewing needlepoint creations for those close to her and undertaking road trips to visit her family, wherever and whenever that took her.  Always full of stories and up for a conversation about human nature or politics or the curiosities of existence, we lost Laura too soon.  Her kindness and compassion are timeless, and those of us who were privileged to have her in our lives will miss her kind words, boundless support, cheerful nature and quiet strength.  We will strive to carry those qualities forward for the rest of our days, and fervently look forward to being together again in the forever that awaits us all.

Laura is predeceased by her father and her mother, and is survived by her son, John Hines, his wife Ka Sin and their two daughters Jordan and Devon; and by her daughter, Maureen Howard (née Hines), her husband Robert and their two children Maegen and Matthew. 

A wake to remember her and pay respects will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025 from Noon to 4 PM at the Frech-McKnight Funeral Home in Dumont, NJ.