Lu Ann Laughlin
Lu Ann is survived by her son Darren Ray Laughlin, daughter Carrie Ann and husband Vance Garza and daughter Cheryl Lynne and husband Mark Goodale. She is also survived by her sister Phyllis Sue Lamb and many cousins, nieces, and nephews as well as cherished family members on her husband's side of the family who loved Lu Ann.
She began college at The University of New Mexico after she graduated from Farmington High School in 1957. She postponed her college pursuits to marry Hugh in 1958. Together they helped run her parents Hubbard A & G Grocery & Meat Market in Farmington and took over management after her father passed away. During these years she gave birth to 3 children and the family eventually moved to Grand Junction, Colorado in 1972. Lu Ann worked various jobs including assembling circuit boards at a factory for a couple years and later worked for H & R Block as a seasonal tax preparer for many years. She went back to college in her 50's and achieved an Associate Degree in Medical Transcription in 1990 from Colorado Mesa State College. She put her new degree to work doing transcription records for two local businesses in Grand Junction.
Lu Ann belonged to the First United Presbyterian Church in Farmington and later in Grand Junction for several years. She was active in her Church and taught Adult Sunday School for a while. In her later years she became a TV Church Goer and among her favorite services were Joseph Prince Ministries and Discovering the Jewish Jesus Ministries with Rabbi Kirt Schneider on Sundays. She also watched the 700 Club regularly.
She liked to cook, try new recipes, and decorated cakes with amazing skill and artistry. Lu Ann enjoyed summer trips to her family's mountain cabin, seeing wildlife and especially watching all kinds of birds. She treasured her Colorado home where she helped create yards with numerous varieties of flowers, trees and bushes. Lu Ann enjoyed traveling and meticulously planned them. She felt privileged to go on many worldwide cruises with her mother.
Lu Ann often expressed her love to others by sewing for them. Her sewing gifts for family and friends included deer skin mountain man fringed tunic and pants, leather vests, coats, purses, and even gymnastic uneven parallel bar hand grips! She sewed extraordinary dresses and formals for all occasions; made honeymoon lingerie, Barbie clothes, custom swimsuits, furniture cushions, curtains, upholstered couches, and taught leather crafts to a Boy Scout Troop at her church one fall.
Lu Ann loved her family and supported them in their life pursuits whenever and however she could emotionally and financially. She also loved dogs and cared for several over the years as well as cats she inherited when a daughter went away to college. The foundation of her character was the strength and perseverance she demonstrated to endure many illnesses, surgeries and later reoccurring cancer which eventually took her life. She taught her children right from wrong by instilling Christian values for which her family is grateful. We miss her every day in so many ways and will remember her in our hearts forever as we look forward to seeing her again one day in heaven.