COLUMBIA, SC – Lauren M. Sweeney, was a senior student at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, Lauren died on Friday, January 10, 2025, at Prisma Health Baptist Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina, due to natural causes. She was 21.
Born in Sewell, New Jersey, Lauren was the cherished daughter of Gregg and Carol Ann Broll Sweeney. She was the maternal granddaughter of the late George A. and Joanne Gleba Broll and the paternal granddaughter of the late Carol Frey Sweeney. Lauren’s family meant the world to her, and she was a devoted sister to Jillian M. Sweeney and Ryan J. Sweeney. She is also survived by her paternal grandfather, William L. Sweeney, along with many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins who were a big part of her life.
Lauren spent her early years in Sewell, New Jersey, where she attended Herma Simons Elementary School. In 2016, she and her family moved to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where she attended Central Bucks West High School, graduating in 2021. Lauren was known for her dedication, drive, and kind spirit, and she forged lasting friendships throughout her school years.
At the time of her passing, Lauren was a senior at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, studying Exercise Science. She was just a few months away from graduating in May 2025 and had plans to continue her education at Arcadia University, where she was set to pursue a doctorate in Physical Therapy. Lauren’s passion for helping others was evident not only in her academic pursuits but also in her day-to-day life. She aspired to become a physical therapist, a career that perfectly matched her caring and compassionate nature.
Lauren was an active and engaged student at the University of South Carolina, where she was a proud member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. She participated in various campus activities and formed strong bonds with her sorority sisters. Lauren’s involvement in her community extended beyond the classroom—she worked at the Doylestown YMCA, where she made a positive impact on those around her. Always eager to lend a hand, she was known for her genuine desire to help anyone in need.
Outside of her academic and work life, Lauren had a passion for sports and the arts. Growing up, she was an accomplished cheerleader and actively participated in All-Star Cheerleading gyms, including South Jersey Storm and Victory Vipers. Her time as a cheerleader helped shape her into the resilient, confident, and caring individual she became. Lauren also loved attending football games, especially cheering for her beloved USC Gamecocks, and she enjoyed going to concerts and spending time with her friends, who she considered her second family.
Lauren’s untimely passing has left a community in mourning, but her legacy of kindness, compassion, and love will continue to inspire those who knew her. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and the countless lives she touched throughout her life. Her family and friends will gather on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home in New Britain to remember and celebrate the beautiful life she lived.
Lauren’s memory will forever remain in the hearts of her loved ones, and her spirit will continue to live on in the lives she touched. She was a shining light, full of promise and passion, taken from this world far too soon, but her impact will never be forgotten.