Laurene L. Blake Merritt, age 56, of Shelton, grew her angel wings with her family by her side on January 31, 2019 in Newton Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center after a long struggle from a rare neurological disorder. Laurene was born in Bridgeport on February 11, 1962 to the late Nelson and Pauline (Mudrick) Blake and has been a lifelong area resident. She was a secretary for Java Express, and prior to that had worked as a baker for Big Y Supermarket for many years. Laurene earned an Associate Degree from Housatonic Community College in Accounting and enjoyed knitting and baking. She was predeceased by her son, Jeremy Merritt, his father, Wayne Merritt, and her sister Diane Kaufman. Survivors include her devoted daughter, Rachel Erdos and her husband Andrew of Stratford, her cherished grandchildren, Joshua, Victoria, and Norah, her partner, Andy Parker, a sister, Paulette Smith and her husband Jay of Pennsylvania, a brother, Robert Blake and his wife Dorothy of Florida, and her nieces Carol Blake of Shelton and Luane Koehn of Monroe, several other nieces, nephews, and their families, and many beloved friends.  Friends may greet Laurene's family on Monday, February 4 ^th from 4-7 p.m. in the Adzima Funeral Home 50 Paradise Green Place Stratford. All other services will be private.