DOVER - Laura Lea Gondeck, of Dover, passed on shortly after entering into the arms of her family and friends while running in a 5K race at Killens Pond State Park. She was 45. Laura was born on Dec. 2, 1964, in Milford. She graduated from Caesar Rodney High School, class of 1982. After starting an elementary teaching career she then concentrated her love and efforts into doing what she enjoyed most, being a loving wife, mother, and homemaker. Laura was an avid reader, who enjoyed running, walking, biking, gardening, the beach, doing arts and crafts and being an active member of the community. She especially loved the sound of laughter, and will always be remembered for her infectious smile. She was a member of the Downstate Delaware Striders and Riders. Laura was preceded in death by her father, Captain Glenn James; and grandmother, Ann Pizzuto. She is survived by her loving husband of 26 years, Michael Gondeck; her mother, Joan and father, Wilford Hodges of Jacksonville, Fla.; two daughters, Jessica Gondeck and fiancé Jason Abernathey of Dover, Kristen and her husband Andrew Littleton of Newark, and her first anticipated granddaughter; a brother, Glenn James II and his wife Emily of Edgewater, Md.; two sisters, Leanne Andrews and her husband Matt of Hartly, Leah James of Winter Park, Fla.; nieces and nephews, Destinee Christmas of Hartly, Heather Wiltfong of Laporte, Ind., Dustin Gondeck and his son Dylan of Harrington, and Hunter Gondeck of Dover; mother and father-in-law, Charles and Ruth Ann Gondeck of Felton; sister-in-law, Carol Gondeck of Dover; brother-in-law, David Gondeck and his wife Kelly of Dover; and grandfather, Paul Pizzuto of Felton. Services will be noon Friday, Oct. 8, at the Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden-Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, where friends may gather two hours earlier. Burial will follow in Sharon Hills Memorial Park, Dover. Letters of condolences can be sent via www.pippinfuneralhome.com.