A Heart for Helping: Spotlight on Volunteer Laurie Stone
Cornwall Manor is delighted to highlight volunteer Laurie Stone, whose kindness, energy and spirit of service make her a valued member of our community. Laurie’s contributions reflect Cornwall Manor’s mission of creating a warm, caring and connected environment for residents and visitors. She is known for her welcoming smile, her willingness to step in wherever needed and her many creative talents—especially the handmade items she donates to the Crafters.
Laurie plays several roles across campus, including serving as a Health Center Transporter, volunteering in the Manor Shoppe and supporting the Cornwall Manor Society. She also enjoys sewing items at home for the Crafters, using her crafting skills to help raise funds that support Cornwall Manor’s benevolent care ministry. Whether she is transporting residents, helping customers in the shop or creating items for special events, Laurie enriches the experience of everyone she encounters.
When asked what she enjoys most about volunteering, Laurie shares that she loves the sense of connection—meeting people, building relationships and being part of something meaningful. She finds joy in using her gifts to help others and feels inspired by the community atmosphere at Cornwall Manor.
Laurie’s volunteer journey began through a personal connection: fellow volunteer and friend Margaret Sowers encouraged her to get involved. Her first role was on the Cornwall Manor Society’s Nominating Committee, which she loved for the chance to meet new people. Her history of service, however, stretches back far beyond her time at Cornwall Manor. Throughout Laurie’s life, whenever her children’s schools, local fire halls, carnivals, churches or community events needed help, Laurie was the first to raise her hand. Her career in radiology and her lifelong involvement in church and community service prepared her well for the caring, people-centered nature of her volunteer roles here.
Laurie grew up in Campbelltown and has lived in Mt. Gretna for 48 years with her husband, Mark. They raised four children and Laurie spent 18 years at home with them before working in the radiology department at Good Samaritan Hospital, where she remained until her retirement in 2023. Her family now includes 12 grandchildren, who keep her joyfully busy and deeply involved in their activities.
She enjoys sewing, reading, baking, cooking, playing Scrabble, doing puzzles, swimming at Lebanon Valley College and traveling—most recently taking a 10-day cruise to Norway to see the Northern Lights as a 50th anniversary celebratory trip. She also loves thrifting and goes on twice-yearly trips with friends, searching especially for wool sweaters she can transform into mittens for schools and churches.
Laurie’s roots in Mt. Gretna run deep; as a child, she spent time at her grandparents’ cottage and she met her husband at Gretna Glen. Her long connection to the area, combined with her active role in Cornwall United Methodist Church, where she has volunteered for 30 years, reflects her lifelong dedication to community.
The impact Laurie makes at Cornwall Manor is felt through her kindness and reliability. Whether she is helping a resident travel safely to an appointment, offering a warm greeting in the Manor Shoppe or sharing her handmade creations, she brightens the day of staff, residents, and visitors alike. Her presence adds warmth to the campus and strengthens the spirit of connection that makes Cornwall Manor special.
When asked for a memorable moment from her volunteering, Laurie often reflects not on a single story but on the many meaningful interactions she has every week—small conversations, shared smiles and opportunities to make someone feel cared for. Her favorite thing about Cornwall Manor is the welcoming atmosphere and the sense of community she experiences in every volunteer role she serves.
Cornwall Manor is truly grateful for Laurie’s generous heart, her creativity and her unwavering commitment to making a difference.
