Lauren Alice "Laurie" Dietrich, age 67, of Morganton, passed away quietly at home, in the presence of her family and friends on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, after being diagnosed with brain cancer nine weeks earlier. She was born on November 15, 1953 to the late David C. Crummel and Anita Totten Crummel in Niles, OH. Laurie was a graduate of the 1971 class of Niles McKinley High School in Niles, OH and a Registered Nurse Diploma graduate of Trumbull Memorial Hospital, class of 1975. Upon graduation from nursing school, Laurie practiced Medical/Surgical Nursing for two years at Trumbull Memorial and worked in the Brain Trauma Unit at Hillside Hospital until she moved to Florida. After moving to Jupiter, FL in December 1980, she began work at Jupiter Medical Center in January 1981, where she practiced briefly on a Telemetry Unit, and then worked in ICU until 1990, serving as Staff RN, ICU Charge Nurse and Relief Nursing Supervisor. In 1990, Laurie transferred to ER where she completed her 43-year professional Nursing career serving as Staff RN and many years as ER Charge Nurse. Throughout her career, Laurie was respected by allpatients, co-professionals, physicians, hospital and nurse leadersfor her professional, ethically- and morally-compassionate practice and selfless dedication. She received a number of awards throughout her career for her outstanding service. She was revered for her ability to lead and mentor others and for her constant efforts for patient advocacy. Laurie retired from Jupiter Medical Center after 28 years of service in December 2018. Laurie accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior, was baptized and was a member of the First Christian Church in Niles, OH. Throughout her life, she practiced her faith and beliefs with an intimate, quiet, respectful reverence. Lauries life was dedicated to caring for others. She worked tirelessly and selflessly to care for all those she lovedfamily, friends and patients. Her greatest challenge and gift came when she cared so tirelessly to help save her granddaughter, Courtney, following Courtneys traumatic brain injury. Laurie was willful and determined, compassionate, loving and gentle, calming and peaceful, mischievous and playful, accepting and non-judgmental, artistic and creative, and lived simply, requiring little for herself. Her greatest loves were being a devoted mother, grandmother, sister and companion and love for her family and friends was first and foremost. Her greatest joy was being a grandmother. Laurie loved the mountains, her mountain cabin home, nature and the outdoors, music and her many canine and feline friends. She was an artist, painter and photographer who always focused on finding and capturing the light. Lessons to be learned from her life and death are: (1) to strive to be the things you loved most about her; (2) to cherish peace and lifes beauty and simple pleasures; (3) to be thankful for each moment; (4) to love life and one another with the utmost compassion and acceptance; and (5) to always have perseverance, hope and faith. She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, David Ray Crummel; and brother-in-law, Randy J. Miller. Laurie is survived by her best friend and companion, Joni G. Tidwell of Morganton; daughter and son-in-law, Tamara Dietrich Neusch and Scott R. Neusch; grandchildren, Courtney Neusch, Tyler Neusch, Emily Neusch, and Christy Neusch, all of Winter Park, FL; son, Carl David Dietrich; sisters, Daiva (Randy) Crummel Miller of Mineral Ridge, OH and Carla Crummel Danes of Akron, OH; sister-in-law, Christina Crummel of Mineral Ridge, OH; former husband and father of her children, Carl E. Dietrich of Orange City, FL; many beloved nieces and nephews; and special family and friends, John Middleton, the Dietrich Family, Anne Swan and the Swan Family, the Poyner Family, and the Jupiter Medical Center Family. A celebration of Lauries life will occur at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in honor of Laurie to the Ronald McDonald House Charities at rmhctampabay.org or the Shepherd Center Foundation at give.shepherd.org. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. The Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge was in charge of the arrangements.