Lauri Aiken began the next phase of her journey April 20, 2016 at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center with her wife and daughters by her side. Lauri was born on December 15, 1953 to Murrium and Paul Aiken Sr. joining her older brother, Paul Jr. Lauri grew up in Lyndonville where she spent much of her time with the family pets, including boxers and horses. She graduated from Lyndon Institute, class of 1971. Lauri married Albert Noyes soon after graduation and gave birth to a son, Jason. After the marriage ended, Lauri and Albert remained close friends until his passing. Lauri later had two daughters, Jessica Aiken-Hall and Kimberley Grenier. Lauri was a free spirit and loved all living creatures big and small. Her heart was pure and she had a childlike innocence believing there was good in all people, even when they often gave reasons to prove otherwise. Lauri returned to college later in life; where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Human Services and continued on to earn her Master's Degree in Community Psychology at Springfield College. Much of Lauri's professional life was spent working with children with special needs. Lauri had a gift for empathizing with people whose experience she had not shared. She could reach the unreachable child; she could understand the sufferings of a person without having to suffer herself. She embodied the dragon's love of shiny things. And like dragons she lived for the moments when magic broke through the mundane. On February 28, 2004 Lauri married the love of her life, Myscha Butt. She searched her whole life to find her true love. The love they shared was rich and pure. She finally found someone who loved her for who she was. They were a great team; working together to make sure they each had what they needed. Many of Lauri's loves became the love of her children. Jason's love of Volkswagens and Jeeps, Jessica's love of writing and meaningful music, they share a deep love of words, and Kim's love of science fiction and magical things. She left a lot of herself in her children and taught them all empathy and kindness towards others and most importantly to not judge others. Lauri taught her children that everyone has a story unknown to others, and to treat them kind and look past their differences to see what is on the inside. Lauri loved to read, getting swept into the story. She was also a writer with a dream of becoming an author. Once you met Lauri you became a friend. She did all that she could to help people in any way she could. She truly was a helper. Lauri is survived by her wife of 12 years, Myscha Butt (228 Deer Run Lane, Lyndonville, VT 05851), her children and their partners; Jason and Marie of Whitefield, NH, Jessica and George of Bath, NH, and Kim and Joel of St. Johnsbury, VT, as well as six grandchildren; Connor, Donovan, Gavin, Alana, Jada and Brooklynn. She was predeceased by her parents and her brother. In memory of Lauri her family asks that you look beyond the outer appearance of the person you walk past on the street and see them for more than what your eyes show you; use your heart and compassion and remember everyone has a story. Use your time well and unravel someone's story. You never know what someone has to offer until you set judgment aside.