FRANKLIN: Laura Lee Fleige

Laura Lee Fleige (Casto) of Franklin, passed away peacefully on January 5th, 2026, in the place she loved most: in her home, surrounded by family after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.

She leaves behind a loving and grieving family: her son, Chris Fleige and daughter-in-law, Kristina Hultman; her four adorable grandchildren: Hannah, Brendan, Connor and Teagan; her siblings Janet Gomez and her husband Gene, Nona Graff and her husband Tony, and Bill Casto and his wife Lois. She also leaves behind nieces and nephews Daniel, Missy (Barry), Nate (Laura), and Stephanie (Rhett) as well as great-nieces and great-nephews, and her life-long best friend Rosemary.

Waiting to welcome her in Heaven are her parents Lloyd and Juanita (Eckolls) Casto and brother Mark Casto, as well as a lifetime of puppies that she loved dearly.

Laura was born on October 30, 1953, in Anchorage, Alaska where her family was stationed as her father served in the United States Air Force. Just as her father served the Air Force, so did the family, moving throughout the United States in service to their country, including Colorado and Alabama, before settling down in Virginia.

In 1976, she achieved her lifelong dream of becoming a mother. She raised her son Chris in Gloucester, Virginia, acting as both father and mother. Laura worked for many years at Newport News Shipbuilding before retiring. Outside of work she enjoyed spending time with family and taking many road trips with Chris to visit them especially during Christmas which was always her favorite time of year. She spent every day with her mother Juanita after the passing of her father Lloyd. Laura enjoyed playing her piano, gardening, baking, cross-stitch and crochet, walking her beloved dogs (Emma, Petey & Gracie), scrapbooking and capturing many photographs to preserve the many precious memories that will be passed on to those she left behind.

Having instilled in him a legacy of service, her son Chris enlisted in the United States Coast Guard. He was later stationed in Massachusetts which he decided to make his new home. Laura later followed, moving to Franklin, Massachusetts in 2012.

If being a mother was her lifelong dream, then becoming a grandmother was her crowning achievement. She became a grandmother four times over to Hannah and Brendan Fleige, and Connor and Teagan Hultman-Fleige. Her grandchildren were the true loves of her life, and she showed them that every day. She could rarely be found without a baby napping in her arms, or a child sitting at her table. Grandma’s house was always a place of everyday wonders, a place of homemade soups and freshly baked cookies, of slime and playdough that were too messy to be allowed at home, a place of pretend and imagination, of arts and crafts, and a place of endless snuggles and boundless love. She was a playmate, a cheerleader, a confidante, a counselor, an artist, a builder of Legos, and a supporter of dreams. Her grandchildren are her lasting legacy, and her only regret upon learning of her diagnosis was that she would not be able to watch them grow up.

Laura recently described herself as just a simple woman. She probably meant that in her usual, self-deprecating way. But in today’s modern era of hustle and bustle, having a simpler life is a goal to which we should all aspire. She loved being at home, in her favorite chair, surrounded by her favorite people and her favorite things (especially her Jim Shore collection). She was a gentle soul who could (quite literally) charm a bird out of a tree. She always described herself as shy, but she never met a stranger. She endured decades of pain, without complaint or resentment. Her quiet strength and limitless love will be keenly missed by all those who were fortunate enough to know her.

“Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.” – Eskimo Proverb

Arrangements for a Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

The Charles F. Oteri and Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage St. is honored to assist the Fleige family.

Guestbook www.franklinfuneral.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wreaths Across America at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org