Laura Ann Illiano, 37, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at her home in Ithaca on Thursday, February 4, 2021 due to a medical condition.
Laura was born on March 10, 1983 in Bronx, NY and is the daughter of Edward and Patricia (Moore) Illiano of Carmel, NY and sister of Gina Illiano of Queens, NY. Laura was raised in Carmel, NY and attended Carmel public schools; graduating in 2001. Laura grew up playing softball, was on a local swim team, and played violin. Laura was a Girl Scout and spent several summers at Rock Hill Girl Scout camp where she then worked as a lifeguard. She had a special group of close friends throughout her childhood and was very independent from the moment she was born. She loved attending concerts, taking long rides with friends, and writing.
Laura attended Ithaca College and graduated in 2005 with a BA in Writing and a minor in Women’s Studies. During this time, Laura had created a group of close friends who continued to help shape her into the strong, feminist, compassionate woman she has always been. She greatly admired the professors in the writing program where she continued to strengthen her skills.
After graduating and working various jobs, Laura had set her sights on becoming a social worker. Laura then completed her Masters in Social Work at Syracuse University, graduating in 2015. Since then, she had participated in numerous certification and training programs related to counseling adolescents and adults, and became a New York licensed social worker. Laura received her LMSW in 2018 and most recently worked at Cayuga Medical Center on the inpatient psychiatric unit. She was a kind and compassionate social worker, always providing intense support to both clients and peers. She was sharp and empathetic and always, always ensured everyone was supported holistically. While she decided to move forward with her social work career, she was also a huge support for those in the Ithaca recovery community. Laura had sponsored many people throughout the years and always remained as someone to look to for guidance. She was an extraordinarily gifted counselor who cared deeply for everyone who needed her.
Laura was an avid Buffalo Bills fan, lover of writing/poetry and journaling, creating and crafting, and above all else, taking care of (spoiling) her beloved dog Maggie. She was inspired by various artists, both music and poetry…David Byrne, Marge Piercy, bell hooks, and Mary Oliver to name a few. She loved tattoos, butterflies, and photography. She was adored by everyone who met her and was appreciated for her brutal honesty, sense of humor (sarcasm), positive influence, and hearty, wholesome, contagious laugh. Laura was a bright light in the world. She always had the right poem to share with someone in need of inspiration or support.
Laura is predeceased by her maternal grandparents Margaret Jane Moore and Thomas G. Moore, as well as her paternal grandparents Lucy A. and Guerstin J. Illiano. She is survived by her parents, sister, four aunts, three uncles, four cousins, many second cousins, and all of her friends who turned into family.
A celebration of Laura’s life will be held later in the year and a memorial fund site has been established for her at Cornell Botanic Gardens in Ithaca, NY. For those who wish to donate for a tree to be planted in her memory, please go to:
We hope that this will serve as a place where people can reflect, continue to feel her support, and know that Laura’s influence will be with you always.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Laura Illiano, please visit our flower store.