POUGHQUAG - Lauren Alexis Camo was born on April 18, 1980 and grew up in Oceanside, N.Y. She was the youngest daughter of Maureen (Hammett) Camo and the late Joseph Camo. Lauren had 5 older siblings (Colleen, Tara, Erin, Kristen and her brother Sean).

Lauren, only 43, was a Poughquag resident for 14 years. Lauren passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on September 4, 2023. Lauren valiantly fought a courageous battle with cancer for around 5 ½ years. Despite a lengthy list of symptoms, Lauren never let them stop her from excelling as a mother, wife, aunt, sister and friend.

As a child, Lauren was known for her loving nature, enjoying sports and her competitive spirit. Despite being the youngest, the lone blonde sister was often noted as one the smartest and strongest sisters by her siblings. A tough cookie with a soft heart, Lauren was very persuasive, logical, intelligent and was even affectionately referred to by her mom as "Ms. District Attorney."

Education and hard work were always core values for Lauren. A good part of Lauren's work ethic came from her father who worked multiple jobs to support his family, did it without complaining and also accomplished this while attending all family events and functions.

Lauren graduated from St. Raymond's Elementary School and Sacred Heart Academy. While at Sacred Heart, Lauren was the Senior Class President, a member of National Honor Society, President of Student Council, played the flute and graduated with honors. Additionally, Lauren always looked out for injustice. Lauren was an upstander and advocate who stood up for those not able or ready to do so for themselves. This would continue to be true throughout her life.

After High School, Lauren attended Binghamton University. She graduated with honors, made numerous friends, was part of the Alpha Phi Sorority and met "some guy named Josh." Josh knew there was something special about Lauren from the start and he couldn't spend enough time with her. Josh loved her personality, energy and how beautiful she was inside and out. Lauren's path was a little different. They became best friends during Lauren's first year and would talk to each other until early in the morning on numerous occasions. The following year, Josh and Lauren started dating and after about 7 years building a strong foundation, they got engaged. On May 20, 2007 at the Royalton Mansion in Roslyn, Lauren married Josh Cohen. For a few years, along with their dog Walter, they lived in Forest Hills, Queens. Then, they moved to Poughquag, N.Y., closer to several of Lauren's sisters and her parents.

In 2005, Lauren graduated from St. John's School of Law. She started her career as an attorney with Gregory Lisi, PC, in Rockville Center, and then worked as corporation counsel for New York City. Lauren was currently employed by Jones Jones, LLC in New York City and truly loved her colleagues, the atmosphere and her position with them.
Lauren was a part of several book clubs with friends, went to art nights, excelled at trivia, played sports and loved everything Disney. Lauren was a parishioner at St. Denis Church in Hopewell Junction.

More than anything, she loved her family, especially her three children. Lauren's oldest child, Avery, did so many things together with Lauren. Lauren led her Girl Scout Troops, signed Avery up for theatre, dance, soccer and supported Avery in whatever she did. Avery shared that Lauren knew everything about her, was Avery's ray of sunshine and Avery believed that Lauren was the best thing in her life for 13 years.

Ben and Lauren loved to snuggle on the couch together, watch movies and play games like Othello together. Ben appreciated Lauren's words of wisdom and advice and Ben definitely loved her cheering at sporting and school events.

Like with Avery and Ben, Lauren read with Luke every night, built foundational skills and taught manners and values. They would play games, go to places together and do crafts on a regular basis.

Lauren made every day special - there are no words to describe how much Lauren meant to all of us. She was generous with her time, energy and creativity for everyone. When planning for birthdays, holidays or special events, she would plan way ahead of time, have themes and make sure everyone felt special and had fun.

In addition to her husband and mother, she is also survived by her three children, Avery, Ben and Luke; her siblings and their spouses, Colleen and Gene Tannenbaum, Sean and Amy Camo, Tara and Danny Hart, Erin and Jason Carman, Kristen and Bill Jones; her nieces and nephews, Michael, Robert, Brian, Maddy, Sammy, Mary, Julia, Ruby, Stella, Violet, and Billy; and her sister-in-law, Deborah Rubin, her husband Craig, and their children Eliana, Isaiah and Jacob. She is also survived by her dog, Rory, and was predeceased by her dog, Walter.

Calling hours will be held on Friday from 3-8pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. The Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday at 10am at St. Denis Church, 602 Beekman Road, Hopewell Junction followed by interment in St. Denis Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to an education fund that is being established for Lauren's children, Avery, Ben and Luke. Please make checks payable to Joshua Cohen, and mail c/o McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., PO Box A, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533.