Sweet, beautiful, funny, and talented, Laurel Anne (Smoliar) Metzler died on May 8, 2026, of metastatic breast cancer. She was only 41, but fought hard against cancer for 11 years, facing each new challenge with courage and poise.
Laurel was a loving mother, wife, sister, daughter, and friend. Her husband of nine years, Alex Metzler, began dating Laurel shortly before her initial diagnosis, and loved, nurtured, and made her laugh ever since. She leaves behind their energetic and precocious four-year-old son, Kai.
Laurel and her twin sister, Rachel White, were as close and affectionate as sisters could possibly be, even taking a special trip together to celebrate their 40th birthday. Rachel’s children, Lizzy and Ben, adored their Aunt Lala, especially when they baked scrumptious desserts together.
A skilled chef, Laurel loved cooking delicious meals and treats for everyone she cared about, and she delighted in teaching her son to love cooking and baking alongside her. She was stylish and loved color, always looking incredible—even while chasing a toddler.
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Laurel graduated from New York University Tisch School of the Arts and often joked that she must have been born with an “inner New Yorker,” wondering how she had ever survived without a 24-hour deli. She went on to become a successful video and commercial editor in New York City before returning to Pittsburgh in 2024, much to the great joy of her family.
She will be dearly missed by her parents, Harold and Ginnie Smoliar, along with a host of relatives and friends.
There will be a celebration of Laurel on Sunday, June 7, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with her family. For further details, please contact hsmoliar@gmail.com
