Laurrie Jane Brinckerhoff

Laurrie Jane Brinckerhoff passed away peacefully after a brief illness on August 18, 2026 with loved ones by her side in Lewiston, New York.

Born on July 2, 1941, in Buffalo, New York, Laurrie was a beloved sister, aunt and faithful, cherished friend to all those blessed to have known her. The daughter of the late John Gilbert and Elizabeth Mae (Johnson) Brinckerhoff, she spent her childhood years in Niagara Falls and nearby Lewiston, surrounded by an extended family of loving grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles.

Laurrie's maternal grandfather was the founder of the eponymous Walter S. Johnson Building Company, known throughout Western New York State for his many projects, ranging from luxury homes to schools and hospitals, and for his 1962 position as Chairman of the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, overseeing the construction of the beautiful international Lewiston-Queenston Bridge that spans the Niagara River connecting Lewiston, NY and Queenston, Canada. So deep were Laurrie's roots in the charming village of Lewiston, it is where she joyfully chose to return later in life, once again finding herself surrounded by loving family and friends.

When Laurrie was 12 years old, her father's career in aviation with National Airlines prompted the first of what would be many moves - from Niagara Falls, NY, to Tampa, FL, to Charleston, SC, to Medfield, MA and finally to Miami, Fl, the location of the company's headquarters.

Upon her graduation from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1963, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government, Laurrie embarked on a 25-year distinguished career in New York City with the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, where she oversaw a staff of more than 15 employees. Following AT&T's corporate divestiture in 1995, Laurrie eagerly accepted the company's generous offer of early retirement to pursue a Master's Degree in Education from New York University, which led to her immensely gratifying second career as a sixth-grade Science Teacher at the Sun Yet Sen Public Intermediate School 131, in the heart of New York City's Chinatown.

Laurrie loved teaching science, and loved her students, who affectionately called her "Miss B." Never was this more evident than on the morning of September 11, 2001, when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center, and the Twin Towers fell - all in clear, terrifying view from Laurrie's classroom windows in lower Manhattan. Throughout the day-long ordeal, Laurrie reassured and encouraged her young students, keeping them calm until their frantic parents arrived to pick them up that afternoon. "The children were so good," she recalled. "So brave and strong. I was just so proud of them."

Upon retiring from her ten-year teaching career, Laurrie's dream was to return to her childhood roots. After more than four decades of hi-rise apartment living in the hustle and bustle of New York City's Greenwich Village, her dream came true when she purchased an historic turn-of-the-century bungalow with an inviting wraparound porch - perfect for sunset gatherings on warm summer evenings - in the heart of downtown Lewiston. When curious friends asked, "But, Laurrie, what will you do in retirement?" she would reply with a smile: "As little as possible!"

Known for her deep, abiding friendships, extraordinary willingness to help others, generosity, compassion, optimism, keen intelligence, quick wit, great sense of humor, love of animals, and love for God and America, Laurrie's life in Lewiston was, in a word, abundant - indeed, filled to overflowing. She was a good neighbor and an active member of the Niagara Falls Tatler Club, Inc. and Monday Club.

Laurrie is survived by her sister, Kathryn "Kitty" Brinckerhoff Slattery and her husband Tom, of Bedford NH, as well as by many wonderful cousins and friends who all miss her more than words can ever say. Laurrie was also utterly adored by her niece, Kathryn Slattery Longo, and her husband Matthew, and their three children, Sebastian, Thomas and Lucy Longo, of Amherst, NH and likewise, by her nephew, John Brinckerhoff "Brinck" Slattery and his wife Elena of Manchester, NH. If they could talk, Laurrie's many beloved kitties over the years, including George, Jasper, Victoria, Pippin, Oliver and Hoppy, would surely express their gratitude for her loving presence in their lives, too.

Arrangements entrusted to the HARDISON FUNERAL HOMES, INC., 401 Ridge Street, Lewiston, NY 14092. A Private graveside service will be held in North Ridge Cemetery, Town of Cambria, NY. A Celebration of Laurrie's Life will be announced at a later date.

If desired, memorials may be made in Laurrie's Honor to the Ten Lives Club, 3741 Lake Shore Road, Blasdell, NY 14219.

Please share condolences at HARDISONFUNERALHOMES.com