Laura Bernadette Ribas

Our beloved Laura Bernadette Ribas passed away peacefully at home on September 28th, 2024. During the past four years, Laura did everything she could to stay active and remain healthy while steadfastly battling cancer, which eventually took her from us. She is survived by her two sons, Aidan and Sean; her husband, Dave; her sisters, Mireya, Cynthia and Watta; her aunt, Myrtha, and her pets, Morgan and Katja.

Laura was born on August 20th, 1957, in Havana, Cuba. At age three, her parents brought her with her sister Mireya, age six, to the United States. Her father's work moved the family to many cities around the country, eventually settling in Atlanta. She graduated with a BFA from Georgia State University, and later married and raised her two sons.

Laura pursued her passion as an artist with a dynamic career in graphic design. She balanced her freelance work with raising a family exceptionally well. She received numerous awards and praise from many of her longtime clients including the High Museum of Art, Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School and Holy Family Catholic Church and Grade School.

She continued to contribute her talents as a visual communications expert for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for the past 15 years. She loved working for the CDC and was admired by the team she worked with on many global messaging projects. When Bill Gates was visiting the CDC, her brochure was the only one that caught his eye and that he specifically asked to take with him. She was a creative thinker and loved that she was able to access her artistic side with bold designs and vibrant colors as part of her daily work.

Laura loved music and dance. She loved the ocean and sunsets. She always had the most creative costume for Halloween, her favorite holiday. She was a poet and made sure to add humor to any situation. She loved to travel and appreciate different cultures and landscapes. Laura spoke her mind freely and expressed empathy for everyone she encountered. Her kind nature filled every room she entered.

She is truly loved by her community of neighbors, friends old and new, colleagues, her church, and extended family. She was a fiercely devoted mother and we miss her deeply.

Please join us for her Celebration of Life service held at St. Bede’s Episcopal Church at 2601 Henderson Mill Road, Atlanta, GA 30345 on November 2nd, 2024 at 1:00pm. A recording of the service will be available on St. Bede’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@StBedesAtlanta

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made to the American Cancer Society or the Oral Cancer Foundation.