Laura Ann McBride

Ms. Laura Ann McBride, age 66 of Syracuse, passed onto her next adventure on March 29th, 2025. Laura was born in St. Louis, Missouri on May 30th, 1958, to Harold and Patsey McBride.

She is predeceased by her father, Harold (Mac) McBride, Jr. her sister Suzanne McBride and her brother-in-law Donald (Donny) Stone.

She is survived by her two children: Son, CJ Wadsworth and Daughter, Amy White, her Mother Patsey McBride and siblings Cindy Stone, Dianne McBride and Harold McBride III.

Laura was hard of hearing, which defined her journey through life. She always felt that she was stuck between two worlds, the world of the hearing and the world of the deaf. Her life goal was to be a “great communicator” who helped achieve what she called “Natural Communication.” She strived to build a bridge between these two worlds.

In her early life she traveled the country with her parents before settling in St. Louis, Missouri. In school she persevered through the struggles of her life between her separate worlds to graduate from North County Vocational Tech in 1976. She then attended RIT’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) in Rochester, NY. This is where she met her then husband, Jerry Wadsworth and moved back to St. Louis to have her first child, CJ Wadsworth. She then moved to Wichita, KS and had her second child Amy White (Wadsworth).

After relocating to Bridgeport, NY, she began working in the US Postal Service and volunteering in the Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Department. She was extremely proud of her accomplishments in both organizations, achieving the role of Postmaster of The Verona Beach Post Office as well as holding several offices and roles in the fire company, including overcoming and adapting to all the communications challenges presented.

At this point, her urge for continuing education became a driving force in her life. She left the Postal Service and attended LeMoyne College to complete her undergraduate studies, graduating with a B.S. in Psychology/Special Education in 1996. She then went to Syracuse University, achieving a master’s degree in education, focused on Disability Studies, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1999.

After graduation, she fought to find an occupation but was unable to find the right fit. Her focus shifted to her love for her children and her grandchildren. She is survived by three granddaughters, Natashia, Arianna and Lark and two grandsons Lucas and Logan.

Laura always had a big heart, being one of the most trusting and open people you would ever meet. She viewed everything until her last moments with the wow and awe of an eager mind. She cared for her loved ones with everything she had and truly wanted nothing more than a just and fair world for all.

The family is finalizing details for a celebration of life. Once determined, please follow the link for more information:

Laura Ann McBride Memorial

To leave a message of condolence for Laura's family, or to share a special memory of Laura, please sign the guestbook below.