Laura Elizabeth Nelson’s light has always shined brightly. The people of Westport may remember sharing a friendly wave, a peace sign, or a warm smile with Laura as she drove around the neighborhood in her clementine orange VW bus, laughing and soaking up every drop of life. She was an accomplished communications executive and public relations expert, dedicated wife and mother, loving sister and aunt, best friend, and adored colleague. Laura was surrounded by family and friends as she left this world on August 20 at the age of 55, following a gritty, determined fight with cancer.

Above all, Laura loved her husband Jim and their beautiful children, Charlie and Annabelle, fiercely and unconditionally. Her pride in their accomplishments truly knew no bounds.

Laura ultimately came to be known as a star in the field of communications, beginning her career as a public relations professional with Dan Klores Associates in New York City. For over three decades, Laura rose through the media industry, attaining positions of increasing seniority and influence as the cable television business flourished. In her early career she led the communications team at Comedy Central, then a fledgling startup channel. She rose to the level of Senior Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs for VH1 and MTV Networks. She later joined Nielsen, where she served as that organization’s Chief Communications Officer for over seven years during an incredibly transformative period for the company.

Laura advised numerous celebrities and media executives throughout her distinguished career and was known as a savvy strategist and insightful advisor. She was a student of the spoken and written word and used this knowledge to advance the interests of her clients and organizations. Maybe most importantly, Laura knew how to bring out the best in her people—she was the perfect combination of mentor, coach, advocate, leader, and friend. Over the years, she assembled multiple award-winning teams, and many of her protégés have gone on to serve as chief marketing and communications officers themselves.

Born in Mt. Prospect, Illinois, Laura grew up in Darien, Connecticut. She attended Royle Elementary School and Middlesex Junior High school. In 1983, Laura served as a Page in the U.S. Senate and attended the Capital Page School. She graduated from Darien High School, where she was the editor of the school newspaper. She graduated from Boston College with a BA in Philosophy. As part of her undergraduate studies, she attended Temple University in Rome, where she developed a lifelong love of Italy and its culture.

Laura was generous, loyal, and warm, and she readily adopted friends into her extended family. She was known for her sense of humor, authenticity, and dedication to her family and friends. She was unyielding on the things that mattered to her and to the world, and she loved with her whole heart and soul.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Maureen T. Nelson (Gilbride) and Paul H. Nelson and is survived by her husband James A. Kremens, and two children Charles H. Kremens and Annabelle D. Kremens, all of Westport, CT, as well as three siblings: Gina Wilcox (Brady) of Old Lyme, CT; Paul F. Nelson (Julie) of Wilmette, IL; and Andrew Nelson (Meghan) of Cincinnati, OH.

A mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, August 27 at 11am at The Church of the Assumption in Westport, CT.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Cancer Couch Foundation, P.O. Box 1145, Southport, CT 06890, or thecancercouch.com.

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