Aurilla “Laurie” McDermitt passed away peacefully Dec. 11, 2019. Laurie was born Dec 20, 1932 in Alexandria, Virginia, the daughter of Stanley and Lois Sweeley.
A longtime resident of Monmouth County, she had many loves and interests which she supported.
Laurie started an estate business to help others realize the value of and dispose their possessions as their circumstances in life changed. The business morphed from simply selling items of little value to helping people deal with Sotheby’s and other major auction houses to value and sell items of great worth.
Among her other passions were a love of the ocean and beach; she was a longtime member of Sands (Sandlass) Beach Club. An avid reader, she always had a book in her hands at the beach or her favorite New York Times crossword puzzle. Laurie was also passionate about her work at the Women’s Exchange of Monmouth County, a nonprofit gift shop staffed by volunteers which was founded in 1934. A depression-era means for women to sell their handmade goods, it became a venue for women to sell artwork and hand goods in support of local charities.
Laurie is survived by her loving husband William McDermitt; her five children and their spouses, Richard and JoAnne McCoy, Peter and Joan McCoy, Leslie and Neil Scully, Jennifer and Ted Sidun, and Kate and Ken Chatto; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and her four stepchildren, Michael, Amy, Chris and David.
A memorial service was held Jan. 8 at St. George’s-by-the-River in Rumson where she was an active member.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation to the American Cancer Society in Aurilla McDermitt’s name may be made.
Please visit Aurilla’s memorial website at johnedayfuneralhome.com.
