Obituary of Laura Wyand Moon

Moon, Laura Wyand Irondequoit: Avid gardener, birder, mountain climber and caregiver, Laurie passed away on January 3, 2015, at age 96. Predeceased by her parents, Charles and Emilie Wyand, her husband Dr. Neil S. Moon, brother Eugene Wyand and nephew Peter Wyand Bennem. Survived by loving "kid" sister Janet Wyand Bennem, niece Amy Janne Bennem, nephews Seth (Cynthia) Bennem, Christopher (Lisa Moore) Bennem, and all their children. Coincidentally born the same day a year after her brother, both combined talents for many outstanding artistic feats in their youth. While working at Eastman Kodak many years later, she met Dr Neil Moon, head of West Kodak Chemical Lab and the two were married at the Colgate Divinity Chapel in 1942. A devoted birder for many years, Laurie went on to figure prominently in the founding and erection of the birding platform at Braddock Bay dedicated to her and Neil by the Genesee Ornithilogical Society. In January 1971, both were made Fellows of the Rochester Museum and Science Center. Overcoming her fear of heights, Laurie and Neil became members of the 46'ers - climbing all the Adirondacks over 4000 feet - and subsequently summited all 111 over 4000 in the Northeast. Enjoyment of both climbing and skiing led to many trips to Switzerland and new found Swiss relationships as a second family, (Monika Brack and daughter Lucia.) Close relationships in the DC area led to the eventual showing of rare flowering greenery surrounding their woodland dream home erected in Irondequoit, a frequent stop for admiring passersby each spring. The bountiful rhododendrons and azaleas will now be enjoyed by the pileated woodpecker that has long made its home in the great pines in Laurie's back yard, testimonial to her stalwart devotion and perseverance. Special mentions to both Amy Bennem and Nancy Harvey as caregivers, among the many who surrounded her over the years since Neil's passing. Her family will receive friends Friday 6:00 - 8:00pm at the funeral home (570 Kings Hwy South), where her funeral service will be held Saturday 12:00 pm. Entombment Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to WXXI, 280 State Street - PO Box 3002, Rochester NY 14603 or Braddock Bay Raptor Research, 185 Pond Road, Honeoye Falls, NY 14472. To share a memory or send the family a condolence, please visit www.harrisfuneralhome.com.