Local Photgrapher & Former LACASA Board Chair Passes AwayLocal Photgrapher & Former LACASA Board Chair Passes Away

7/17/14 - A local artist and longtime victim’s advocate has passed away. Luanne Schonfeld of Howell died Monday after an eight year battle with cancer. She was 61. The avid Detroit Tiger fan, who was known simply as Lu to friends and family, was a well-regarded photographer whose black and white works were shown at galleries in Petoskey and Charlevoix. But she was also a tireless volunteer for several local non-profit organizations, most notably LACASA, the domestic violence agency and shelter where she served in a variety of roles from hot-line counselor to one-time board chair. Livingston County Undersheriff Mike Murphy is the current LACASA board chair and tells WHMI that he was surprised to hear of her passing as he had spoken with her recently and she gave no indication of her illness. But he said that was very much like Luanne to not have a "woe is me" attitude and always project warmth and enthusiasm. A funeral mass for Schonfeld will be held Friday at 11am at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Howell. Her family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to LACASA, Arbor Hospice or the American Lung Association.