Laura M. Stalford

Laura was born on August 23, 1934 in East Chicago, Indiana.  She was adopted just a few days later by Grace Piazza McConnell and her husband Lionel.  Laura grew up as an only child, but had a very large extended family that included countless aunts, uncles and cousins.  Shortly after Laura’s high school graduation, Grace and Laura moved to California along with Grace’s sisters.

Laura met Sterling Stalford while she was a hostess at the USO in Long Beach in 1953, near the end of his time with the Navy.  After being honorably discharged, Sterling and Laura were married November 27, 1954. Sterling gave Laura the nickname of Laurie and it was how so many of her friends and family knew her. After their marriage they returned to Sterling’s home town of Corning, New York for Sterling to begin work at the Corning Glass Works.  They welcomed their first child, James, on July 31, 1957.

Shortly after Jim’s birth, they moved to Los Angeles so that Sterling could finish his education.  They settled in Long Beach and welcomed their second child, Linda, on February 8, 1962. Sterling and Laurie took their family to Florida for two years in the late 1960s.  They returned to California and made their permanent home there.  They built a cabin in Green Valley Lake, California in the San Bernardino mountains.  They planned and visited their “retirement” home in Arizona, never staying longer than a few weeks and returning to their California home to be near their grandchildren.  They most recently settled in Seal Beach, California.

Laurie’s greatest wish was for her family to know that she loved them and that they meant everything to her. She demonstrated that wish by making loving homes for her family wherever they lived and providing guidance to her children as they grew to adulthood.  Laurie shared a special bond with her son, Jim.  They were kindred spirits.  While Linda shared many traits with her dad, her sharp edges were softened by her mother’s influence and gentleness.  Laurie volunteered to be the primary caregiver for each of her grandchildren as their parents returned to work. Shannon, David, Cassandra and Kathleen, all were blessed with their beloved Granny.  All have been touched by that precious gift of time that Laurie gave so freely.

Laurie was preceded in death by her mother in 1964, her father in 1999, her daughter-in-law Suellen in 2010 and most recently her husband Sterling on May 21, 2016.

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401