Laura Connelly (Cheeseman) , 6 5 , of Middletown, NJ, passed away peacefully at home on January 2 6 th after courageously battling ovarian cancer for several years.

Laura was born on January 24, 1960, to Rosetta and William Cheeseman in Brooklyn, NY. She graduated from New Utrecht High School in 1978 .

Laura met her loving husband of 45 years, Danny , in 1976 , and together they have 3 children, Shannon, Lara, and Cally.

Laura became a fitness instructor in the 1980s and it became her life's passion. Laura's greatest joy was leading a room full of ladies in her energetic workout classes and in private sessions for many years. She also loved sharing her knowledge about health and wellness to help improve the lives of everyone she knew.

Laura was always a mover and shaker, whether it was going out dancing, going to parties, or getting lunch with her many great friends. She was always out and about finding ways to enjoy each day. Laura also loved snuggling with her two cats, Pumpkin and Norty .

Above all, Laura cherished spending time with her family. No matter what they were doing, spending the day with her three girls was the best time she could ask for. A nnual 4 th of July celebrations in the backyard and Christmas parties at Shannon's were always a highlight of her year.

Laura was the best Nana to her 2 grandchildren, Mila , 7, and Cillian, 3, with who she shared a special bond. She and Mila loved to have "doubles" together, which were 2-day sleepovers at Nana's house. They enjoyed spending quality time together whether it was cracking up watching funny cat videos or spending time outside appreciating nature.

Laura was predeceased by her loving parents, Rosetta and William Cheesema n; parent-in laws, Anne and Francis Connelly; and her nephew, Keith Connelly . She is survived by her husband Dan ny ; her daughters and their partners , Shannon and Jason Broderick, Lara and Christopher Myers, and Cally Connelly and John Bonilla; her grandchildren, Mila and Cillian Myers; her siblings and their partners, Deborah and Gary Valdata , Lisa and Michael Santillo, and William and Theresa Cheeseman ; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, close family members, and dear friends who she loved spending time with.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 30th from 4pm – 8pm at Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 S. Holmdel Road, Holmdel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Friday, January 31 at 10am at St. Mary, Mother of God Church, 19 Cherry Tree Farm Road, Middletown. Burial will follow at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown.

In lieu of traditional remembrances, Laura's family asks with gratitude that donations in her memory be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital .

For messages of condolence, or to share a favorite memory of Laura, please visit her page of tribute at www.HolmdelFuneralHome.com.