Southborough – Laura Virginia Chalifoux, 76, of Southborough, passed away suddenly Friday, Sept. 16, 2016 at home.
She was born in Nashua, N.H. to Levi J. and Mildred E. (Shunaman) Chalifoux. Laura grew up on a dairy farm in Hudson, N.H. and graduated from Alvirne High School in Hudson in 1958.
After working as a hospital laboratory technician in Nashua for several years, she graduated with a biology degree from the University of New Hampshire in 1969.
Laura was employed for many years by Harvard Medical School, moving to the New England Regional Primate Center in Southborough when it opened, and retiring in 2000. During that time, she was author/coauthor of more than 40 scientific papers and book chapters.
Laura was always a lover of animals, first as a young 4-H member caring for Jersey cows on the family farm, and later raising canaries. She was especially devoted to her pet dogs, Sun Dog, Bonnie, Frisky, Mildred, and Dundee.
Laura is survived by her sister, Margery C. Coombs and her husband Walter P. Coombs Jr. of Belchertown; a nephew, Matthew W. Coombs and his wife Tana Bloom of Greenfield; a niece, Alexandra V. Coombs and her husband Shane Treesh of West Grove, Pa.; and numerous cousins and their families and several good friends.
Her thoughtfulness and quiet kind nature will always be remembered.
A funeral service will be held Monday, Sept. 26, at 2 p.m., at the Morris Funeral Home, 40 Main St., Southborough. Burial will be held Tuesday, Sept. 27, at 11 a.m., in St Peter’s Cemetery of Walpole, N.H., with her parents and other members of the Chalifoux family.
Memorial contributions may be sent in her memory to the Nature Conservancy at www.Nature.org.
To leave words of condolence to the family, please visit www.morrisfuneralparlor.com.
