Laura K. (Hamman) Henderson

Laura Kay (Hamman) Henderson passed peacefully on October 11, 2022 at The James at The OSU Wexner Medical Center. Laura was born in Columbus, Ohio on July 17, 1961. She was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Margaret (Schendel) Hamman, and a brother, Gary. Laura is survived by her sisters, Linda (Mark) Moore and Elaine (Joseph) Kain, as well as nieces and nephews, Robin (Jesse) Carlton, Stacy Kain, Brian Kain, Thomas (Taylor) Mizuno-Moore, and Adrienne Moore, and four great nephews and nieces. Laura had many lifelong friends, a few of whom are Jane (Holden) Janowicz, Sharon (Stout) Weaver, Katie (Clark) Bishop, and Verna Jackson. Laura was, and her family is, deeply grateful for the love, support, and care given by Jane and Sharon in her later years.

As a child Laura and her family took extensive road trips across the country squeezed into a small travel trailer, visiting many national parks. They also enjoyed time at their campsite in the Hocking Hills.

Laura graduated from Upper Arlington High School in 1979, where she was a member of the marching band, concert band, orchestra and ski club. She then graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering. She first worked for McDonnell Douglas Aerospace in Florida as an industrial engineer. During that time, Laura and her father were colleagues, and Laura greatly valued having that relationship with him.

Laura relocated to Gulfport, Mississippi after earning an Associate of Science Technology in Computer Graphic Design from Keiser College in 1997. Laura then worked for Johnson Controls and at Stennis Space Center as a program analyst and illustrator. While at Stennis she became involved in an entrepreneurial venture, which led her to the position of Executive Vice President of NATEC, which was doing extensive research and development for the military to develop high pressure, polymer-cased ammunition. This led her to living in Plattsburgh, New York for several years, and to business travel to Jordan.

Upon her return to Mississippi, Laura worked with Jacobs Engineering/Lockheed Martin, from which she retired on disability due to her diagnosis of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Laura was passionate about supporting research into this disease.

In January 2020 Laura moved back to her hometown of Upper Arlington , Ohio to be closer to family and friends while she fought a courageous battle with thymic cancer. She was a patient at both MD Anderson Medical Center and The James at OSU, where she received excellent care and treatment for this disease.

Laura excelled at many of the activities she enjoyed, particularly golf, pool, cards, and online competitive solitaire. She also very much enjoyed old sitcoms, college football, and whiskey!

A celebration of life will be held for Laura at Scioto Country Club, Scioto Room on October 29, 2022 from 3 pm - 6pm. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to either the GBS/CIDP Foundation International or the ASPCA.