Laura Penny

Laura Penny, born in Bellport, New York, on February 27, 1960, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family and friends on February 7, 2026. 

She is survived by her husband Andrew Anker, children Court, Jonathan, and Katherine Anker, grandchildren David and Winston Riscen, and the Penny, Anker and Vitelli families. She was the devoted daughter of Dorothy Penny and the late George Penny. She was the dear sister of Diane Vitelli. She leaves behind her beloved cat, Sky. Laura was a devoted mother, passionate animal lover, and loyal friend with a deeply caring heart and quick wit. She was a natural at making connections, always taking time to learn about others' lives and interests. 

Laura was the managing editor of the Bellport Clipper newspaper in high school and The Eagle at the American University. She earned a Master’s in journalism from Northwestern University in 1983, and was featured in Chicago Magazine in a story about city news print reporters. As a journalist and a medical journal editor for four decades, her commitment to her subjects and her attention to detail was unrivaled. 

She was a generous mentor to many fighting LeiomyoSarcoma, even as she fought it herself. She was the Great White Shark that was always swimming ahead and fighting for what she wanted. She founded the Ladybugs LMS support group in the Washington, D.C. area, and served as a moderator for another online support group with over 5,500 members. Laura fought LMS for 21.5 years, all while maintaining her roles as mother, wife, editor, ally, and friend.

A funeral will be held at the Raynor & D’Andrea funeral home in Bayport, New York, on Friday, February 13 at 10 a.m. Donations in Laura's memory can be made to LeiomyoSarcoma Support & Direct Research Foundation https://lmsdr.org/donate and Kent Animal Shelter https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/kentanimalshelter/mdonate