Laurie Gwen Thomas, age 59, of Hastings, passed away Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021. She was born February 16. 1961, in Hastings, the daughter of Richard Charles Thomas and Audrey Elaine (McCrumb) Thomas. She attended school and graduated from Hastings High School in 1979. She then went on to attend Kellogg Community College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Western Michigan University and Davenport College, acquiring a master’s in business/marketing. She was married to Peter Aviles on October 31, 1989 in Coconut Grove, FL, ending in divorce. She did many types of work during her life. Her places of employment included: Bronson Methodist Hospital, B. Dalton Booksellers, Greyhound Leisure Services, Blockbuster Entertainment Corp, Employment Group, Transnation Title Company, Metropolitan Title Company, Hastings Manufacturing Company, GQT Hastings 4 Theatre, Tay-Sales, and EXP Realty. She was also the owner of LASH Properties and worked as a paraprofessional for Hastings Area Schools. She loved working with the children. They brought the life out in her and made her laugh and smile. Laurie was definitely a well-rounded individual Laurie was a go-getter type of person. Once she had her mind set, there was no stopping her. She worked hard at multiple jobs and taking care of a newborn, while her ex-husband was battling cancer. During that time, she also graduated from college as valedictorian. Laurie also took care of her parents years later, while continuing her education and following her passion for learning. She was a huge movie fan and wanted to be a movie make-up artist. When she was younger, she loved her horses. Laurie was preceded in death by her brother, Bryan Thomas; father, Richard Thomas; and mother, Audrey Thomas. She is survived by her daughter, Ashley (Aviles) and Remaeris Brown of Grand Rapids; sister, Lynette (Thomas) and Karl Kaiser of Hastings; stepdaughters, Tara Claudio of Chicago, IL; Daisy Aviles and Tatiana Ramos of New York. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and great-great-nephews. Memorial contributions can be made to the Cancer Association or the Spectrum Hospice for all they do, we want to repay them for their hard work and dedication. Services will be Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings. There will graveside services at 1:30 p.m. at Hastings Township Cemetery. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home, to leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net.