ura Cizek-Carr 1957 - 2013 SPRINGFIELD - Laura Cizek-Carr, 56, of Springfield, MA, passed away on April 1, 2013 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA. Laura was born February 3, 1957 in Poughkeepsie, NY, the daughter of Dorothy Marion Koppenhoefer Cizek of New York City and the late Bohumil Cizek of New York City. Laura was raised in Verbank, NY and moved to Springfield, MA after graduating from Westfield State College in 1979 where she had studied Fine Art and earned a B.A. Her career had been in commercial art, working in many aspects of the industry including many years as a graphic designer for T-Shirt Station in West Springfield and over 14 years as a Senior Graphic Designer for Western New England University. Laura's passion was "Plein Air" painting and her dear subjects were of her gardens, the Adirondack Mountains, the Hudson Valley of New York, and the shores of Cape Cod. She also dabbled in designing wind chimes from found objects and creating bead jewelry. Laura continued taking art classes through the Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum and Western New England University. Laura is survived by her son Benton Carr of Chicopee, MA, her daughter Aubree Carr of Granby, MA, her mother Dorothy Cizek of Verbank, NY, her sister Christine Cizek of Fairfax, VA, her partner Nick Usuriello of Rhinebeck, NY, and the father of her children, Robert Carr of Granby, MA. She was predeceased by her father, Bohumil Cizek, her sister Karen Cizek, and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Calling hours will be held Friday, April 5, 2013 from 4-7 p.m. at Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Road, Enfield, CT. A memorial service and burial will be held at Verbank United Methodist Church, Verbank, NY at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial donations be made to the Massachusetts Chapter of the ALS Association.