Laurette Florence Lipson

Laurette Florence LaLiberté Lipson died on July 16, 2026, in Dayton, Ohio, at age 98. Her rich life of almost a century included a large family, a stellar career in health professions education, and a number of relocations that created a colorful, cherished tapestry of places, people, experiences, and accomplishments.

Laurette was born in New Britain, Connecticut, on August 18, 1927, to George and Marie Berthe LaLiberté. The third of four daughters, she attended St. Mary's Parochial School and Washington Junior High, and graduated from New Britain Senior High School in June, 1945. Laurie, as she was known, was vice president of her class of 700 students, editor of the school newspaper, and active in her beloved Drama Club. She won a full scholarship to St. Joseph's College in West Hartford, Connecticut, and received a B.S. in Nursing in June, 1949, through the combined program at St. Joseph College and St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing.

Following graduation, Laurie became a supervisor for the neurological unit at St. Francis Hospital, and was then made a member of the nursing school faculty, teaching basic nursing arts. She married Joseph I. Lipson in December, 1950, and left New England to make California her new home. There she became a clinical instructor at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Oakland.

In the next ten years, Laurie and Joe had four children: Christopher James (b. 1952), Mark Douglas (b. 1956), Elaine Marie (b. 1957), and Roger Edward (b. 1962). In 1964, Laurie was awarded a government grant to return to school, and in 1965 completed a masters degree in nursing education from the University of Pittsburgh. She then began a second career of pioneering work in instructional development and administration in health professions education that spanned the next 40 years.

Following a move to Florida in 1967, Laurie collaborated on creating an associate-degree nursing curriculum for John Wiley Publishers, and later provided editorial service to the company. In 1970, following a family move to the Chicago area, Laurie was appointed assistant professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle. She then moved into a directorship of the newly established Simulation Laboratory and Learning Center for first-year med students, an innovative model in health professions instruction.

The year 1975 took the family to Lincoln, Nebraska, where Laurie joined the faculty at the University of Nebraska Dental College, establishing a learning center and creating instructional materials for dental students in conjunction with faculty members. In 1977, she and a colleague were awarded a $250,000 grant to develop dental simulations. In 1980, on completion of the grant, Laurette was awarded a special appointment at the Library of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland.

Laurie entered her peak professional chapter in 1981 when she was recruited by Dr. Richard E. Bradley to serve as professor and chair of educational services at Baylor College of Dentistry. Moving up through several leadership roles there, she became acting associate dean for academic planning and development. Though she retired in 1992, she continued as an executive educational specialist and consultant, guiding the college in strategic planning and other critical areas. In 1993, Laurie was named associate dean emeritus, and received an honorary dental degree that same year.

Joe and Laurie were divorced in 1981, but remained personally friendly and professionally supportive of each other. Joe died in Chico, California, in 1991.

The Baylor College of Dentistry Hall of Fame inducted Laurie in 2002 in recognition of her immense contributions. Laurie found not just professional satisfaction and growth at Baylor, but many friends for life who brought joy and enrichment to her time in Dallas and beyond.

Laurie relocated in 2016 to Beavercreek, Ohio, where her son Christopher lives with his wife Velma Barber. She died in the care of Hospice of Dayton on July 16, 2026. The family is extremely grateful to the Hospice and to the many home health aides and facilitators who assisted with her care in her final days, helping her to pass in grace, dignity, and love.

In addition to her children Christopher, Mark, Elaine, and Roger, Laurie is survived by seven grandchildren and step-grandchildren: Kyle Lipson, Brennen Lipson, Sara Lipson, Joe Massey, Hank Massey, Joely Barber, and David S. Burk; and great-granddaughter Melody Tracy Lipson.

If you'd like to make a donation in Laurie's name, the family suggests and appreciates gifts to some of Laurie's favorites: St. Joseph's College in West Hartford, Connecticut; local chapters of Habitat for Humanity; local food banks; or your local PBS station.

To share a memory of Laurette or leave a special message for her family, please visit this Guestbook below.