Ashland--- Laura L. Pike, 82, died Wednesday, December 2, 2015, at a Presque Isle hospital. She was born April 4, 1933 in New Haven, CT, a daughter of the late George "Pete" Sawyer and Elizabeth (Markel) Strong, step-daughter of the late Irene (Collier) Sawyer, and was raised in Ashland.

Laura was a devoted teacher, teaching grades 1 – 8 in Ashland area schools for over 33 years before her retirement. She attended services at Union Congregation Church and was a member of Rebekah's Lodge. She enjoyed serving her community through the Ashland Senior Citizens, former Aroostook Literary Coalition, served on the boards of the Ashland Cemetery Committee, Ashland Planning Board and the Board of Directors of Area Agency on Aging and ARTS.

She is survived by: four children, April Jo Cook and her husband Nick of Saco, Mark Pike and his wife Kerri of Redmond, WA, Norman Pike and his wife Catherine of Colorado Spring, CO, and Julie Ann Pike of Allston, MA; three siblings, Peter Sawyer of Ashland, Elizabeth "Betsy" Maker of Providence Forge, VA, and Nancy Sawyer of Worcester, MA; four step siblings, Janice Webster and Susan Webber of Tucson Arizona, Barbara Breckenridge of Hickory North Carolina, and Teddy Rand of Portland; five grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents and step-mother, Laura is predeceased by: her husband of 54 years George Pike in 2010, and a brother, George Sawyer Jr.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, July 2, 2016 at the Ashland VFW, Portage Road, Ashland, where all friends and family are welcome.  A private family burial will be held at the Sawyer Family Cemetery, Ashland. In lieu of flowers, donations in Laura's name may be made to:  Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, P O Box 518, Deer Isle, ME 04267.