Not a day goes by that I don’t think of Lauren or how she changed my life. Our connection was far deeper than what you would expect of a therapist and a client. She was above all else my friend. I have never connected with an individual the way I connected with her. From the moment we met, her soul became a part of mine. To have had a connection that meaningful and deep gave me a feeling of gratitude I don’t know if I will ever be able to fully articulate. She is such a wonderful soul and my heart aches for her loss every time she crosses my mind. I am so blessed to have known her in her time on earth and I long for the day we get to meet again.

Lauren is my niece and she was the daughter I never had. Larin, as I called her because of how my mother pronounced her name, will always have a special place in my heart. Larin had such a big heart and was a good sport whenever we teased her about her driving, spoilers, or Michigan. Larin was my movie buddy. She’s the only person that would go with me to see movies like Godzilla. I know that she will always be there next to me whenever I’m watching movies no one else will watch with me. She had such a love of animals and a pet of her will always be with me as she helped me find my latest dog, a rescue from Korea. 
Lauren suffered through depression that left her feeling alone and hopeless. I wish she had known how much she was loved and cared for by everyone who knew her. I know that she is now at peace and her struggles are over. Larin is with her dogs and Grandmother now, and they are looking after her. I will always love and miss Larin. 

I lost my beautiful daughter, Lauren.  She was a loving, caring person.  She referred to me as her team mate and I was hers.  We had amazing adventures together as she was up for anything.  Rappelling into a 300 foot cave, swimming with dolphins, dressing up as a Geisha and you name it.  She was a brilliant student as was able to achieve anything she put her mind to.  Phi Beta Kappa at Michigan and two masters degrees.  She brought joy to everyone's life she touched.  Even through all her pain, she would write her famous poems for every special occasion and insist on a million photos to remember the events and activities,  and later create scrapbooks with me to always remember them. Her loss has created a hole in my heart.  Even though her body is gone, her soul remains a piece of me forever



I have wonderful memories of Lauren that are complex and full of a rich emotional context.  And I have words that I can use to try and describe them, but no matter what, they feel insufficient.  The words are nothing more than a veneer of the memories.  So I will simply say this: Lauren was a terrific sister.

When you commit suicide, you don’t end your depression.  You only pass it along to those around you.

My cousin, my whole and a half buddiette, my Slauren. You are so loved and so missed. I hope that whatever is beyond this life has brought you the peace and happiness that you have always sought. Know that the family left behind misses you terribly, but we are constantly rejoicing in the silly stories and photos of you. My wedding will have an emptiness to it, but I know that you will be there even if not in person. You made life so fun and I would have never been the same Matthew if I hadn’t grown up with you by my side almost every waking moment. I love you and can’t wait to see you again at some point in the future (I hope).


When I think of Lauren, I think of joy- I think of the joy she brought to everyone around her. I love how enthusiastic Lauren would be about parties and outings. I will always carry her infectious laughter and beautiful smile in my heart. I promise to honor and keep her memory in ways both big and small: taking lots of pictures, staying on top of “The Bachelor” gossip, and eating at Granville. I will love my family deeply, help those in pain, care for all the animals, and laugh through telling fond stories / memories. Love you forever, dearest Lauren! ❤️❤️

Lauren and I shared a lifetime of memories, as she was my "sister from another mister." We lived five minutes from one another growing up, went to school together, and our families did everything together. From playing Batman or Marco Polo in the pool, to playing Girl Talk when we were kids, watching Star Wars and Harry Potter together, and traveling to Yellowstone, Carmel, Vegas, and going to DC to see the Star Wars exhibit, and sharing special holidays, we had so many wonderful and shared experiences that all bring happy tears to my eyes. 

The memory that stands out, as if it happened yesterday, was when we flew to Hong Kong for a family cruise around Vietnam, Thailand, and Singapore. Lauren and I flew in a bit earlier than my parents, and we had a wonderful time just walking around the streets of Hong Kong, talking and catching up and, of course, shopping! Finally, my parents arrived, and I got to share the most exciting and important news of my life with them. I got to tell them that Rose was pregnant. Lauren, within that moment I shared the news was already in tears. Her first words were, "I'm going to be an aunt!" Afterward, we had a wonderful dinner with my parents and just talked all about what the future would hold for Oliver (who was known as Pizza Baby at the time). It was the most perfect day with Lauren. Her love for Oliver, Rose, and me was endless, and that's how I will always remember her.

A parent should never have to lose their child.  This is the biggest nightmare for any parent.  My nightmare didn’t start with Lauren’s passing away.  It started years ago when the demons of her mental health issues consumed Lauren’s  fragile soul.  We tried everything that we could to help Lauren combat her major depression.   Lauren died of her suicide attempt.  Our entire family is not angry at all.  All of us are relieved that she is no longer suffering from her mental anguish.  We need to focus on her not suffering.  This focus helps us to get through this grief that  we are experiencing.  We,  as a family, are  devastated by Lauren’s death.   Lauren was my best friend, my daughter, and confidant.  We had so much fun, and we talked multiple times a day.  Lauren had a support system that was incredible.  We are an extremely close family that stood, and stands in solidarity of our love for  Lauren.  We did everything that we could to help Lauren, but it was not meant to be.  Lauren is  finally  at peace .  I am blessed to have been Lauren’s Mommers.  

Lauren was the daughter I never had. Her death has left a hole in my heart that will never heal. Lauren is much loved by so many many people who saw her kindness, gentleness and compassion. Unfortunately for Lauren she fought major depression that was relentless with her spirit. It made her life so unbearable that she ended up succumbing to its wrath.  I know that my girl is at peace and not suffering with her depression any longer.  Lauren has been a true gift to all of us.  I will always love you my Lauren Ann Mendeldaughter. 

I feel absolutely shattered by the news of sweet Lauren's passing.  We were friends in Middle School at Nobel, and through high school at Cleveland.  Throughout the years we have remained connected by social media.  I loved her lengthy captions and eagerly followed her adventures.  She will be sorely missed by many I am sure.  I will always remember how easy it was to make her laugh, her kindness, and gentle spirit.  I wish you peace from pain my friend.  Sending love and light to your family, who I will keep in my prayers.

Lauren was my beautiful, sweet love.   A daughter that a mother dreams of having.  Thoughtful, kind, fun, and caring.  Her beautiful brown eyes were the windows to Lauren’s beautiful soul.  Lauren was taken from our family way too soon.  She will be missed every single minute of ever single day.   Our family has lost a beautiful person, and the world was a better place when she was alive in it.  May her memory be a blessing.  May Lauren Rest In Peace.
Here is a song by Willie Nelson .  The lyrics resonate how I feel:

“When you lose the one love
You think your world has ended
You Think that your world will be a waste of life without them in it
You feel there is no way to go on
Life is just a sad sad song
But Love is bigger than us all
The end is not the end at all
It’s not something you get over
But it’s something you get through
It’s not something that you get over
But it’s something that you get through

Lauren is my niece. She is also the daughter I never had. Lauren has my heart and immense love since birth. 
Lauren is a gentle and fragile spirit who connected with people who needed some light in their lives. Her heart was full of love for all animals. 
Her passing has  affected all of the people that loved her dearly. Our lives are forever shattered. She is at peace now and out of pain, She is with God. We are all so blessed to have Lauren in our lives.


I met Lauren through her interning at Freedom Service Dogs.  We became friends and stayed in touch with me pet sitting for her beloved dogs, and later thru Facebook.   I am heartbroken by her passing.  Lauren,  a kind and sweet spirit. Always  ready with her huge smile to brighten the day.  Lauren, you will always  be loved, remembered  and missed as at bright light  in a sometimes dark world.   

OBITUARY

Lauren Ann Sanders

April 26, 1982 – August 26, 2021

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