Laurene Mary Wallace, 77, of Colebrook passed peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Friday, July 10, 2026.

Laurene was born on April 28, 1949, in Bridgeport, the last of four children born to the late Lawrence and Irene (Misencik) Firmender of Stratford. A retired registered nurse, Laurene’s career in nursing and cardiac rehabilitation spanned nearly five decades, and she was honored to serve as the American Heart Association’s Connecticut Branch President from 1991 to 1993.

She earned her nursing certificate in 1970 at Bridgeport Hospital and her Bachelors in Science in Nursing degree from Western Connecticut State University. She worked at the Winsted Hospital, St. Francis Hospital and Quinnipiac College, then helped found and manage the Cardiac Rehabilitation Facility at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington. A Connecticut native who never lived elsewhere, Laurene was a kind and generous soul beloved in both her professional and personal communities.

A caring daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt and grandmother, Laurene is survived by her husband of 55 years, John Wallace; her son, J. Wallace, and his wife, Isabelle; her daughter, Marisa Wallace, and her husband David Cividanes; her granddaughter, Julia Cividanes (15); and her grandson, Elwood Wallace (14). She is also survived by her sister, Judith Hines, of Milford; her brother James Firmender and his wife, Sandra, of Lititz, Penn.; her sister-in-law Jacqueline and her husband, James Landwehr, of Summit, N.J.; and her brother-in-law Phillip Wallace and his wife, Stephanie, of Bernardsville, N.J.; as well as her aunt Margaret Lemanski, cousins and many nephews, nieces, their children and grandchildren. In addition to her beloved parents, Laurene was predeceased by her brother Michael Firmender and two nephews, Matthew Firmender and Neil Landwehr.

All who survive her will miss her dearly, but the family traditions she instilled will live on with us forever. Laurene was an inspiration to so many. She was strong, kind-hearted, intuitive, lively and confident. Often sporting a sparkle in her eyes, Laurene was full of vitality, vim and vigor and had love to give in spades. In short, she was a vibrant, beautiful force of nature.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, July, 16, 2026, at St. Joseph’s Church in Winsted, where a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by Fr. Dennis Arambasick. Interment was in South Cemetery in Colebrook. In lieu of flowers, those who so desire may contribute in Laurene’s memory to the American Heart Association or ALS United of Connecticut.