Dr. Lauren A. Vroman, age 41, passed away at Centrica Rose Arbor Place, on January 4, 2026, content and comfortable, with loved ones by her side. She was born on March 22, 1984, in Houston, TX.

Lauren faced significant health battles since she was a little girl, but never did she allow them to dull the beautiful light inside of her. Lauren was a creator, performer, scientist, and lover of life. She was very proud to perform as vocalist with her band, ROMP. She developed a love for performing, dancing, and music from a young age…watching old musicals and creating comedy skits and claymation videos at home with her siblings. To her siblings, she was a priceless beacon of love, care, creativity, kindness, and understanding. For them and many others, she cultivated feelings of ambition, confidence, bravery, appreciation, and acceptance. She graduated from Marshall High School, where she participated in Community Player Productions, theatre, dance, track, tennis, and art. She was a gifted artist and seamstress.

Despite her unrelenting medical challenges, anyone who had the pleasure to know her will tell you: Lauren’s empathy and kindness was almost otherworldly. She eased the pain and discomfort of all those around her, even though her own was far greater. She radiated love, compassion, optimism, and a deep appreciation of life…and she instilled these values into her son, Gabe.

Lauren possessed a never-ending curiosity and loved learning. She developed a passion for the natural sciences. As a single mother, she worked hard to support not only herself, but her son as well, as they navigated together through higher education at Western Michigan University. Mother and son surpassed all expectations and became valued members of the WMU Department of Biological Sciences. Above all, Lauren loved being a mother and her favorite memories came from moments shared with her son. She was so proud to see him graduate with his Bachelor’s degree. She was also pleasantly surprised as she humbly accepted her Doctorate’s degree during a special ceremony held at her bedside in Rose Arbor. She was researching the energy–the soundwaves–released by the understudied organisms beneath the earth’s soil. This research perfectly represents Lauren’s lifelong ability to look deeper, appreciate the underappreciated, and to find meaning in things unseen. Where others saw “dirt”, she saw an intricate ecosystem full of wondrous secrets waiting to be discovered and understood. Just like all the times throughout her life when others saw sadness or anger…and she saw an opportunity for hope, grace, connection, and growth.

Dr. Lauren’s kind smile–the type that migrates into the eyes, her laughter–the kind that could soften even the most calloused of souls, and her deep, unconditional love will be sorely missed by all who knew her. She leaves behind so many whose lives were forever changed and greatly enriched by the gravity of her loving presence and invaluable worldview. She left this world too young, but the impact she left behind far surpassed that of many lifetimes. If it could be weighed and measured, she deserved life more than most of us. She was too good for this world.

Lauren is survived by her loving son, Gabriel Vromen and their beloved cats, Wilhelmina “Mina” and Keroro “Roro” Vroman; father, Arturo (Cindy) Arizmendi; mother, Lisa (Scott Hisler) Garza; siblings, Amber Rie Thurston, Andrew (Jamie Ranger) Arizmendi, Audra (Jon) Jennings, Reid Arizmendi, Amber Leigh Arizmendi, Layla Harkey; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends.