Obituary of Laura Marguerite Nadel

Laura Nadel passed away peacefully in her home on October 15th in Santa Cruz, California, due to Marfan syndrome. Born in Melrose, Massachusetts to Gerald H. Nadel and Marion Schonbrunn Nadel, and relocating to Palo Alto California when she was 9, Laura attended local schools before moving to Santa Cruz as an adult. Laura studied Psychology at the University of California Santa Cruz and later earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from San Jose State University. Laura lived and worked in Santa Cruz since 1999, where she was known to be a fierce and tireless advocate for the Mental Health community, her family and friends. Cherished memories of Laura are shared by her family and friends of her brilliant wit, creative and practical ideas, outside of the box thinking, extraordinary and sardonic sense of humor, and her unique sense of style, sporting pigtails and a hoodie on the daily. Laura referred to herself as a “zinester with a punk rock mindset” and had an eccentric range of interests and tastes including punk-rock shows, kitty cats, tattoos, pop-culture, jazzercise, Halloween, and fancy food. In addition to her illustrious career as a respected Social Worker, Clinical Director, and mental health advocate, Laura also owned The Rush Inn, a local dive bar. She brought compassion, creativity, heart and humor to everyone in her life as a leader, mentor, family member and friend. Laura will be remembered as having a life of excitement, purpose, brilliance and understanding. She is preceded in death by her twin sister, Deborah Nadel and her father, Gerald H. Nadel. She is survived by her mother and step-father Marion and David Logan; brother Sam Nadel; step-siblings Jessica Fox and Eric Logan; a beloved uncle and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews. Laura also leaves her extended family: brother-in-law Brandon Corona, life-long friend and colleague Lynda Kaufmann, sister-wife Karen Madura, life partner Russell Dennis, their beloved cat Smithers and all of his cat siblings.  

Memorial services will be performed at Monarch Cove Inn on November 4th, 2023 from 3-5 p.m. Parking is at Shorelife Community Church in Capitola; shuttle services will be provided. 
A reception will follow at The Jury Room in Santa Cruz.
Memorial donations may be made in Laura Nadel’s name to NAMI of Santa Cruz or the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter.