Laura Gongos Obituary

Laura Jean Gongos

Apr 14, 2023

Vermilion

Laura Jean Gongos, 64, passed away peacefully Friday, April 14, 2023,at her Vermilion home after a lengthy illness that she navigated with grace, strength, and hope.

Laura and her two younger brothers grew up in Perkins Township where Laura graduated from Perkins High School in 1976. She was a gymnast, dancer, 4H Horse Club member, and concert and marching band member playing clarinet and oboe. Laura was also active in "The Town and Country Players" of Norwalk, playing in numerous musicals.

Laura graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Journalism and Public Relations. Hearing a presentation Laura made during her junior year, Harold Burson recognized her potential and offered her a job. After graduating in 1980, Laura began her career as an intern with Burson-Marsteller Public Relations (BCW Global) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She remained with the firm until 2008, retiring as Managing Director. Her career was noteworthy for her innovative projects, steady leadership, and involvement in Pittsburgh public art projects.

Laura was one of three people selected in Pittsburgh to chair a commission responsible for finding an architect to design the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. They identified noted architect Rafael Vinoly who created the largest LEED® Gold Certified convention center in North America.

Her passion in Pittsburgh was renovating a historic three story home with unique antiques and auction finds and creating a fabulous garden. Laura was a long-time avid boater and enjoyed navigating the Three Rivers and Lake Erie.

Laura married Roland van Rijn in 2012 and made Vermilion her primary home and enjoyed a home in Vancouver, British Columbia. Together, the couple charted hundreds of miles on the waters of the Pacific Northwest and Gulf of Alaska. They traveled extensively around the world including Thailand, Bali, New Zealand, Antarctica, and numerous countries throughout Europe.

In Vermilion, Laura was an active volunteer for Main Street Vermilion. She generously shared her knowledge and professional experience, originating and co-chairing Main Street's Public Art Vermilion. She led a volunteer advisory board and introduced The Postcard Project which won the 2021 Project of the Year Award from Heritage Ohio.

Laura loved her homes ashore and at sea and prepared gourmet meals in every port. Her cookbook, Aunt Laura's Food for Thought, is a treasured keepsake for her family and friends. The book ends with words Laura lived by: "Be in a state of gratitude for everything that shows up in your life." Laura radiated kindness. She was loved and will be missed by all.

She is survived by her loving family, husband, Roland van Rijn; mother, JoAnn Simanton Gongos; brother, James Albert Gongos (Laura); sister-in-law, Anne Gongos; nieces and nephews, Ali, Austin, Olivia, Amanda, and Will Gongos; and cat, Captain Squeek.

She was preceded in death by her father, Albert Steven Gongos in 1972; and brother, John Steven Gongos in 2012.

Memorial contributions in her honor can be made to Public Art Vermilion to continue the work of adding art to the community. Checks should be made payable to Main Street Vermilion/PAV, 685 Main Street, Vermilion, Ohio, 44089, or can be made online at mainstreetvermilion.org/pav.

A celebration of Laura's life will take place in early summer.