Laura Leigh Chittenden Kuriatnyk, 65, of Gravette, Arkansas, passed away Monday, June 8, 2026. She was born February 3, 1961, in Fairfax, Virginia. Laura Leigh Chittenden, known lovingly to those closest to her as Joey, passed away of natural causes. A woman of extraordinary spirit, unwavering faith, and fierce devotion to her family, she leaves behind a legacy that will be cherished by all who knew her. From a young age, she was her daddy's brown-eyed girl, a tomboy with a fearless heart and a sharp tongue who would tell you exactly what she thought without hesitation. She could outfish any man on the lake at any time of day, and she carried that same tenacity into every corner of her life. Laura was not a woman who let fear stand in her way. Though she was terrified of heights, when her husband took her to climb a mountain on their honeymoon, she set her jaw and made the ascent, only later confiding how scared she had truly been. That quiet, stubborn courage defined her. Laura was a woman of many passions. She was an avid angler, a joyful dancer, and a voracious reader with an impressive command of movie trivia. She loved working with her hands, whether crafting handmade jewelry, making soap, or tending her garden. Her creativity and warmth touched everyone around her. She was also deeply committed to her community, supporting local police, the military, and area farmers. She had a tender heart for animals, caring for stray dogs both inside and outside shelters, giving comfort to creatures that the world had overlooked. Laura did not simply have a prayer life. Prayer was her life. A devout Catholic, she lived in ceaseless communion with God, her rosaries never far from her hands. She held them all the way to the gates. She was the Lord's little sparrow, a soul that Jesus picked up and showered with unconditional love. Yet to the world, she was a lion, bold and unafraid, fierce in her convictions and tireless in her devotion. In her, gentleness and strength were never at odds; they were one and the same. In addition to her husband, Michael Bennie Kuriatnyk, Laura was preceded in death by her parents.

Laura is survived by her son, Jeremiah Alexander Kuriatnyk; daughters, Jessica Anne Kuriatnyk, Michelle Leigh Kuriatnyk, and Monica Rose Kuriatnyk; son, Sean A. Brosnahan, whom the family has always known as Baby James; along with many other beloved family and friends.

Services will be announced by the family. The family invites all who loved Laura to hold her memory close and to honor the faith that carried her through every trial and every joy. Memorial contributions in Laura's memory may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. In the words of Scripture that so perfectly capture the way Laura lived, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12. Fly on, little sparrow. You are home.