Lauren Katherine Hewski, 18, of Aberdeen, was taken from this world too soon on May 11, 2023. Lauren was born on March 22, 2005, in Brick, New Jersey, to parents Dennis and Kimberly (Mennona) Hewski. Lauren and her family settled in Aberdeen, where she was raised.

To everyone who knew her, Lauren was a bright light, a passionate advocate, a fierce competitor, and a kind and genuine friend with a wicked sense of humor. She attended grammar school at St. Benedict Catholic School in Holmdel and was a member of the Early College Academy at St. John Vianney High School in Holmdel where she recently received her associate degree from Brookdale Community College.

Lauren excelled in both academics and sports. In high school, Lauren was a member of the National Honor Society, class president, class secretary, and a four-year Varsity soccer player and co-captain. In her community, Lauren was an active member of Girl Scouts of America, serving on the CEO Advisory Board and as a Council Delegate for the Sandy Hook Region. Lauren also earned her Bronze and Silver Awards and was working toward completing the prestigious Gold Award. In addition, she was on U.S. Representative Frank Pallone Jr’s Youth Advisory Council, working on policy agendas for immigration and homelessness, and was an active volunteer for the Raine Foundation.

This fall, Lauren was getting ready to start a new chapter in life: she planned to attend Syracuse University to study political science and public policy at the renowned Maxwell School.

Lauren wasn’t foolish enough to think she could change the world, but she certainly wanted to make a noticeable difference. Lauren’s story does not end here.

Lauren is predeceased by her grandfather, Gerard Mennona. She is survived by her loving parents, Dennis and Kimberly (Mennona) Hewski; her adoring grandparents, Dennis Hewski, Catherine Rutkowski Hewski, and Cynthia Steindecker Mennona; her dear aunts and uncles, Danielle Mennona, Gerard Mennona and his wife, Lacey, Christopher Hewski, and Robert Hewski and his wife, Patrice, her cherished cousins, Alexia Mennona, Lily Hewski, Gianna Mennona, Sophia Mennona, Gerard Mennona, Calvin Hewski, and Cassidy Hewski, and much more extended family and life-long friends.