KNOX — Laura “Lori” L. Pincher’s three sons call her “an extraordinary role model and mother.”

On Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, they wrote in a tribute, “our beloved mother died surrounded by family in Knox due to complications from scleroderma and other conditions.” She was 64.

She was born Feb. 6, 1959 to the late Robert and Suzanne (née Baldwin) Rauch at Albany Medical Center. The oldest of four siblings, she graduated from Shaker High School in 1977 and from Cobleskill College in 1982 with degrees in agriculture and natural resources, floraculture, psychology, and beverage certificate in bartending.

“As a young adult, Lori worked at her husband’s family gas station and George’s Market in Latham, where she said the work was some of the best times in her life,” the tribute said. “She was later employed by New York State Department of Civil Service in 1982 until her illness forced her into early disability retirement in 2010.

“In the early 1980s, Lori and her husband began raising their family in Knox where they also started a small farm. Sheep, flowers and crafting were among her greatest passions.

“In the late 1990s into early 2000s, she was a member of the Knox Reformed Church where she served on the consistory as a deacon and head deacon as well as assisting with many related groups and functions.

“Lori was also a member of Berne-Knox-Westerlo PTA, Team Mom for New Scotland Pop Warner Football, and started a support group where her mother resided at the Teresian House, all while keeping an eye on her boys. Her husband, James Charles Pincher, predeceased her in 1999 at age 42 from leukemia. 

“Mom’s love and work ethic never wavered despite the hardships she encountered throughout her life. She was an extraordinary role model and mother.”

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Laura “Lori” L. Pincher is survived by her three sons, Tyson J. Pincher, James B. Pincher (Erika), and Seth J. Pincher. She also loved as her own sons, her two nephews she helped raise, Andrew and Christopher Cilauro (Christina).

Other survivors include her brother, Robert L. Rauch Jr. (Kathy) and two grandchildren whom she considered her most precious gifts from God, Ella M. Pincher and James E. Pincher. Lori was the proud godmother to both grandchildren.

Her husband, James Charles Pincher, died before her, in 1999, as did her dear sister and brother — Joanie died in 2006, Paul Rauch in 1994 — and her stepfather, Edward Penman. 

Calling hours will be at Fredendall Funeral Home at 199 Main St. in Altamont from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 10, at the First Reformed Church of Schenectady.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the First Reformed Church of Schenectady at 8 North Church St, Schenectady, NY 12305.