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3.20.2003
Laura Gillett, 32; mother of two was 'like a big kid'
Laura Gillett, 32, could draw a pretty good Tweety Bird.
Her life in Pembroke, Mass., focused on her kids, 6-year-old Jake and
3-year-old Jared. And she seemed to understand children well.
"She was like a big kid. She loved the Looney Tunes" cartoon
characters, says her brother, Michael Paterno, of Milford, Mass. "One
of the things she used to do was draw Tweety Bird -- drawing cartoons
and doing crafts with the kids.
"Neighbors always saw her around the yard, out making sledding runs.
Family was always her top priority."
Laura also loved cats. She brought one home from a local shelter and
named him Petie, Michael said.
"I miss her greatly. I always want to make sure I have the same
attitude toward my two children."
Laura helped build the Hobomock Elementary School's first wooden playground,
another example of her commitment to kids.
She was a claim representative at Blue Cross/Blue Shield in Rockland,
Mass., often working night shifts to support her children, Michael said.
She lived in the house where she grew up.
Laura was dating Shawn Sweet, of Pembroke, who was with her at The Station
and also died in the fire. "They were dating for like two years.
They both had the same passion for the same type of music. They spent
a lot of time together," Michael said.
Carol Dodge, who lives across from Laura on West Elm Street, said the
small community of Pembroke is devastated by the loss of two people. Laura's
little daughter played with her daughter, Dodge said. "They have
been friends forever," she said.
-- Michael P. McKinney
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