Reverend Mary Elizabeth Laufer

Reverend Mary Elizabeth Laufer, 76, of Kingston, passed away on Thursday, January 25th, at Allied Hospice Meade Street Unit.

Born in Gainesville, FL, she was the daughter of the late Edward E. and Helen L. (Wenzel) Laufer.

Mary went on to become a registered nurse before becoming a Pastor.  She first studied Nursing at the University of Southern California / Los Angeles County Hospital.  After several years as a Cardiac Intensive Care (CICU) nurse, and a brief stint as Nursing Supervisor for the hospital, Mary decided to return to school.

She graduated from Pacific Christian College, California (1980), and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California (1986), with the goal of becoming an ordained Lutheran minister.

Following her ordination on May 31, 1987, Pastor Laufer served in the following calls: pastor of Holy Emmanuel Slovak Lutheran Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (1987 – 1990); Chaplain at Hospice St. John of Lutheran Welfare Service (1990 – 1995); pastor of Messiah and St. Mark Lutheran Churches, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania (1996 – 2020).

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Edward.

Surviving are her brothers, Donald Laufer, Martin Laufer, John Laufer, David Laufer, Reverend Ralph Laufer and Robert Laufer, 5 sisters-in-law, and several nieces and nephews.

Private services were held for the family.