Laura J Gongos

Laura Jean Gongos, 64, passed away peacefully in her Vermilion, Ohio home on April 14, 2023 after a

lengthy illness that she navigated with grace, strength and hope.

Laura and her two younger brothers grew up in Perkins Township, Ohio where Laura graduated from

Perkins High School in 1976. She was a gymnast, a dancer, 4H Horse Club member, dressage competitor,

and concert and marching band member playing clarinet and oboe. Laura was also active in "The Town

and Country Players" of Norwalk, Ohio playing in numerous musicals.

Laura's dancing talent earned her a scholarship to Ohio University. At college she channeled her

creativity to art, then journalism. Hearing a presentation Laura made during her junior year, Harold

Burson recognized her potential and offered her a job. After graduating in 1980, Laura began her career

as an intern with Burson-Marsteller Public Relations (BCW Global) in Pittsburgh. She remained with the

firm until 2008, retiring as Managing Director. Her career was noteworthy for her innovative projects,

steady leadership and involvement in Pittsburgh public art projects.

Laura was one of three people selected in Pittsburgh to chair a commission responsible for finding an

architect to design the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. They identified noted architect Rafael

Vinoly who created the largest LEED® Gold Certified convention center in the North America.

Her passion in Pittsburgh was renovating a historic three story home with unique antiques and auction

finds, and creating a fabulous garden. Laura was a longtime avid boater and enjoyed navigating the Three

Rivers and Lake Erie.

Laura married Roland van Rijn in 2012, and made Vermilion her primary home and enjoyed a home in

Vancouver, BC. Together the couple charted hundreds of miles on the waters of the Pacific Northwest

and Gulf of Alaska. They traveled extensively around the world including Thailand, Bali, New Zealand,

Antarctica, and numerous countries throughout Europe.

In Vermilion, Laura was an active volunteer for Main Street Vermilion. She generously shared her

knowledge and professional experience, originating and co-chairing Main Street's Public Art Vermilion.

She led a volunteer advisory board and introduced The Postcard Project which won the 2021 Project of

the Year Award from Heritage Ohio.

Laura loved her homes ashore and at sea and prepared gourmet meals in every port. Her cookbook, Aunt

Laura's Food for Thought, is a treasured keepsake for her family and friends. The book ends with words

Laura lived by: “Be in a state of gratitude for everything that shows up in your life.” Laura radiated

kindness. She is loved and will be missed by all.

She is survived by her loving family, husband, Roland van Rijn; mother, JoAnn Simanton Gongos;

brother, James Albert Gongos (Laura); sister-in-law, Anne Gongos; nieces and nephews, Ali, Austin,

Olivia, Amanda and Will Gongos, and her cat, Captain Squeek. She was preceded in death by her father,

Albert Steven Gongos, in 1972 and her brother, John Steven Gongos in 2012.

Memorial contributions in her honor can be made to Public Art Vermilion to continue the work of adding

art to the community. Checks should be made payable to Main Street Vermilion/PAV, 685 Main Street,

Vermilion, Ohio 44089 or can be made online at mainstreetvermilion.org/pav.

A celebration of Laura’s life will be held in early summer.