Laurie Lynn (Leveroni) Figone

Laurie L. Figone, a gifted chef and cookbook author, was happiest when preparing fabulous meals for her family and the wide circle of friends she considered family. The longtime Petaluma resident, well known in the community for her culinary skills and warm, engaging personality, died May 24, 2024 at a Santa Rosa hospital. She was 65.

Her unexpected death has left family and friends stunned as they mourn the passing of a charismatic woman with a matchless zest for life.

She was born Laurie L. Leveroni on Sept. 26, 1958, the daughter of David and Joyce Leveroni of Novato. She was raised on her family’s Marin County dairy ranch where her passion for good food was shaped by the land’s abundance and large family gatherings. On Sundays, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins gathered for a hearty meal, engaging in lively conversation between forkfuls of homemade ravioli and fresh greens from the garden.

Laurie totally embraced the pleasures of the table and gracious hospitality, making her home and garden a welcoming venue for entertaining. In her cookbook, “Cooking with Laurie Figone,” she writes, “I love to cook. It brings people together and makes my heart sing.  I’ll always cherish the moments spent in the kitchen with my Mom and Grandma.”

Laurie’s husband of 38 years Dan Figone was her most ardent fan and supporter as she pursued her love for food and entertaining. Laurie was the love of Dan’s life and his best friend. They were an inseparable couple who cherished every minute together.

Laurie loved spending time at Lake Tahoe, gambling at the casinos and dining out with her husband to explore the cuisine around Petaluma and beyond. She took great pride in her home and garden and had a sense of style and fashion, always impeccably attired and beautifully groomed when she went out.

In addition to her husband Dan Figone and parents, David and Joyce Leveroni of Novato, Laurie is survived by her son, Garret Medeiros of Novato; daughter, Sabrina Figone of Cotati; her brothers David (Ann) Leveroni and Paul (Lisa) Leveroni, all of Novato; her sisters-in-law, Donna Faustino and Nancy Mazzetta, both of Petaluma, and brothers-in-law, Dave Faustino, Ken Mazzetta and Steve Figone, all of Petaluma, and by many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was a special aunt to Amy, Ashley and Stacey. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 5 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Petaluma. Laurie’s family said she was deeply loved and she loved everyone.