SPRINGFIELD CENTER - Laura B. McShane Carter, 80, passed away peacefully Friday, Nov. 5, 2010, at home. Born on Oct. 26, 1930, Laura was the daughter of the late Edwin and Celia McKelvey McShane. She was a graduate of Springfield Center High School. She married William R. Carter on Sept. 2, 1950. Laura worked as a sewing machine operator, housekeeper, and school cook. She was a homemaker, den mother for Boy Scouts of America, and active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Springfield, a librarian with Four County Library System and an avid bridge player. In 1982, she earned a Master of Social Work from Adelphi University. As a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers since 1984, she touched the lives of many. During her career she worked for The Hospital in Sidney, Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich, and for the Broome County Developmental Center until her retirement. Laura enjoyed helping people find joy in everyday life. A skilled knitter, she made sweater, mittens, afghans and Teddy bears to donate to a special cause or gifting to someone who admired her work. Her home in Springfield Center was surrounded with beautiful flower gardens where she was eager to work in them every spring and during the summer months. Laura appreciated the beauty of the surrounding community and had many stories of the area as she was growing up. Laura loved to walk and was methodical in picking up trash including cigarette butts along pathways and roads. She was critical of the many thoughtless people who threw their trash and butts out on our roads. In 2008, Laura moved to Hampshire House in Oneonta, where she had many friends and enjoyed the community living immensely. She told all how great it was at Hampshire House and the many activities and things she and her friends did there. She especially loved bingo, Scrabble, sittersize, and playing Wii bowling with her friends. In September, she was diagnosed with late stage cancer and spent her last days with her family and friends at home in Springfield Center. She is survived by three sons, Daniel Carter of Little Falls, Scott (Cyndi) Carter of St. Louis, Mo., and Andrew (Marie Nicole) Carter of Paso Robles, Calif.; one daughter, Laura Sikkema of Springfield Center; two sisters, Betty (James) Shaw of Schenectady and Jane (Lowell) Dingman of Philadelphia; seven grandchildren, Ashley, Lucas Sikkema, Amanda (James) Patenaude, Dillion Carter, Calvin, Christopher, and William Carter; and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her former husband, William Carter; her sister, Mary McShane; nephew, Thomas Dingman and son-in-law, Gary Sikkema. Funeral services will be at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, at the J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 W. James St., Richfield Springs. Pastor Chris Ellis will officiate. The family will be present one hour prior to the service to receive relatives (4 to 5 p.m). Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Laura's memory to the Catskill Area Hospice and Pallitative Care, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.