Laura S. Marchiando

Laura Marchiando passed away on Saturday, October 22, after a 33-year battle with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Laura was born in Urbana IL in 1964 to Sandy and Donald Marchiando. A Master Chef, Laura attended Centennial High School and later graduated from the most prestigious culinary academy in North America, The Culinary Institute of American in Hyde Park NY, in 1991. After graduation she was immediately hired as a sous chef at the Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina. An avid golfer, she often made use of the resorts facilities in her free time. Discovering her talent, the resorts Pro used her talent to fill celebrity foursomes when needed, where she had the unique opportunity to play with such greats as basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain.

Laura accepted an offer to become the assistant Chef at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan. After two seasons there, she was recruited to serve as the private chef for a Wall Street power couple at their resort ranch in Jackson Hole Wyoming. There she got to rub elbows with the many celebrities visiting the ranch, receiving a big hug from Harrison Ford for the beautiful birthday cake she baked him, and personal thanks from members of the British Royal family for her expertly prepared true English Tea service.

Sadly, her MS progressed rapidly, to the point that after five years she was no longer able to work as a professional chef, at which time she returned to Illinois. Refusing to concede to the disease that was consuming her, she continued to serve her community in any way she could, helping to care for stray and abandoned animals as a long-time volunteer at the Champaign County Humane Society, where her efforts were lauded in an "Angels Among Us" news feature by local TV station WCIA, Channel 3.

Laura is proceeded in death by her parents. She is survived by her sister Elizabeth Kuhlmann of San Antonio, TX.