Laura Plimpton was more than Martha Stewart’s sister. She was a wonderful mother, a good writer, and a generous woman. Her life touched many, both in her family and at work. Let’s take a closer look at who she was and how she lived.
Quick Facts About Laura Plimpton
| Full Name | Laura Dorothy Kostyra Plimpton |
| Birthdate | March 4, 1955 |
| Age at Death | 59 years old |
| Occupation | Writer, editor, researcher, photographer (at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia) |
| Husbands | Kim Herbert (m. 1979–d. 1985), Randy Plimpton (m. 1990) |
| Died | 6 August 2014 |
| Parents | Edward Kostyra (Father) and Martha Ruszkowski Kostyra (Mother) |
| Siblings | Martha Stewart (Sister), Eric Scott (Brother), Frank Kostyra (Brother), George Christiansen (Brother), Kathryn Evans (Sister) |
| Children | Christopher Herbert, Sophie Herbert, Charlie Plimpton |
| Net Worth | <$1 million |
Early Life and Family
Laura Dorothy Kostyra was born on March 4, 1955, in Jersey City, New Jersey. She was the youngest of six children in the Kostyra family. Her parents were Martha and Edward Kostyra. The family later relocated to Nutley, New Jersey, where Laura spent most of her childhood.
She was brought up with her brothers and sisters in a firm yet loving household. Her father was firm by nature. They were not well off, so they learned to be hardworking and innovative. This influenced Laura’s values when she was older.
Her Career and Work with Martha Stewart
Laura collaborated with her renowned sister, Martha Stewart. She was with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia for more than 25 years. Laura assisted backstage. She wrote, edited, researched, and photographed. She also assisted with Martha’s blog and radio programs.
Her writing was considerate and heartfelt. She brought a warm and friendly tone to Martha’s work. Some people did not know her face, but they knew her writing and sensed her concern.
Personal Life and Family
Laura was twice married. Her first husband was actor Kim Herbert, whom she met at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. They wed in 1979 and had two children—Christopher and Sophie. Christopher went on to become a Grammy-nominated musician and Middle Eastern studies specialist. Sophie became a yoga instructor and therapist.
Tragically, Kim succumbed to lymphoma in 1985. It was difficult, but Laura remained resilient for her children.
In 1990, she wedded Randy Plimpton, a real estate broker. They had a son, Charlie. He was an outdoors person and pursued wildlife and conservation biology in school.
Laura enjoyed being a mother. She sewed her children’s clothes by hand and always prepared huge meals for holidays. Her family was everything to her.
Kindness and Quiet Strength
Those who knew Laura recall her for her bright smile and peaceful demeanor. She was kind but firm. She assisted others unobtrusively, never seeking praise. In times of adversity—such as when Martha endured her legal issues in 2004—Laura remained by her side.
She also assisted in raising her children with love and care. Her house was filled with laughter, good food, and warm memories.
Sudden and Sad Goodbye
Laura died on August 6, 2014, at Norwalk Hospital in Connecticut. She was just 59 years old. Her death came unexpectedly. A brain aneurysm snatched her away very suddenly.
In death too, Laura contributed. She left a living will and donated her organs to assist others. Her last act was one of love and sacrifice.
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Loved and Missed
Martha Stewart made public her grief. She referred to Laura as a remarkable sister and a dedicated mother. The family requested that they be left alone but also expressed gratitude to people for their sympathetic consideration.
Laura lived a life full of work, care for others, and love. Her husband, children, and everyone who knew her still miss her. Yet her legacy remains through her work, her family, and the numerous lives she touched.
