Tracy L. DeFuria-Mauler

She was born on July 31, 1968 in Saranac Lake, to her parents Carol Johnson DeFuria and Barry Stephen DeFuria.

She graduated from Saranac Lake High School in 1986 and was a talented runner on the school track team. She went on to attend Canton ATC, North Country Community College, and received her bachelors of science from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh in 1998.

In 1988, Tracy enlisted in the United States Navy, where she worked in torpedo maintenance in Seal Beach, California, receiving an honorable discharge in 1989.

Tracy became a mother in 1991 to her son, Jonathan Michael Mauler and again in 1994 to her daughter, Ashley Lynn Mauler.

She was employed at Trudeau Institute for 10 years and made many life-long friends during that time. She was currently employed with Lakeside House.

Tracy raised her children on Hope Street, and lovingly enforced an “open-door” policy. She welcomed her children’s friends like they were her own.

Tracy was a lifelong resident of Saranac Lake. She was a vital part of the community and made friends everywhere she went. She was well known and loved by those who knew her.

She is survived by her father Barry DeFuria; her brother Michael DeFuria (Karen Connors); son Jonathan Mauler (Katheryn Mauler); daughter Ashley Mauler; granddaughters Emilia Mauler and Scarlet Mauler; and several aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by her mother Carol Johnson DeFuria.

Tracy will be remembered for her infectious laughter and her generous heart. The love that she had for her family was a force of nature.

Our family has received many wonderful messages sharing stories and offering support. If you have written to us or wondered if there’s anything you can do, we ask you this: As you move forward, choose to see the good in people, be kind to one another, offer forgiveness and do what you can to help Tracy’s light shine a little farther.

Calling hours are set to take place on Tuesday, Nov. 25 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. A prayer service with military honors will immediately follow at the funeral home on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. with Rev. Martin Cline officiating.

Family and friends wishing to remember Tracy are asked to consider making memorial contributions to the Marine Science Center in care of the funeral home or at marinesciencecenter.com/support/adopt.stml. Family and friends can also share their condolences and memories at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.