Born on October 7, 1934, Laurie was the daughter of Joseph and Lillian (Krentzman) Gorfinkle. She spent her childhood in Chelsea, before moving to Swampscott, where she graduated from high school in 1952. She then enrolled in Radcliffe College, where she majored in Sociology and sang with the Radcliffe Choral Society.
After graduating from college in 1956, Laurie married Harvard Law student Avram Hammer. Following Avram’s service in the US Judge Advocate General, the couple moved from Virginia to Swampscott, and then to Marblehead where they raised three children.
Laurie enjoyed participating in her community. She held administrative positions at Lafayette nursing home, Hamblet and Hayes, Salem State College and later at Temple Israel in Swampscott. She was an avid knitter, reader, puzzle solver, and an active member of Radcliffe’s alumni association.
For over twelve years Laurie and Avram rode on a tandem bicycle with the North Shore Cyclopaths in the Pan-Mass Challenge; Through this group they made many life long friends. Laurie will be remembered for her optimism, commitment to friends and family and for her quiet strength. Laurie is survived by Ruth Hammer, Judy Sturim and her husband Bob, David Hammer and his wife Lauren, and by grandchildren Abby, Lian, and Jake Sturim and Ben and Joe Hammer.
Funeral services will be held at the Stanetsky-Hymanson Memorial Chapel, at 10:30 on Wednesday April 9, followed by interment at Chevra Kadisha of Chelsea Cemetery in Everett.
In lieu of flowers, In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jimmy Fund / Pan Mass Challenge https://www.jimmyfund.org/events/cancer-fundraising-events/pan-mass-challenge/
