Frances Lorene Boucher Laird

Frances Lorene Boucher Laird age 92, passed away Wednesday, June 27, 2012. She was born to Jessie Lee Redner Boucher and Henry Arthur Boucher on October 19, 1919 in Milan, Missouri at her grandmother’s home.

Several weeks later Lorene, her mother and big sister Vona traveled to Oklahoma where her family lived near Oakwood, Oklahoma. Her father was a farmer and her mother was a housewife. She had been a school teacher. Lorene had lots of help with her homework. She attended school at Oakwood and graduated as valedictorian of her class in 1938. She attended and graduated from Northwestern State University May 1942 with a degree in Home Economics and Elementary Education.

During her college days she joined the Methodist Church and was a member of the Youth Fellowship. She met her future husband Charles E Laird at a meeting of the Youth Fellowship. They were married June 5, 1942 in Everett, Washington at the Paine Field Chapel. Lt. Laird was stationed at Paine Field.

Charles and Lorene are parents of four sons; Charles Elbert Laird, Jr., Robert Arthur Laird, Ronald William Laird, and Philip Eugene Laird.

Lorene began teaching in Rome, New York and continued her education for certification in New York State. The family moved to Austin, Texas in 1961 after Charles retired from the U.S. Air Force. Lorene got her teaching certification in Texas and taught in Austin public schools until 1979 end of school year.

She was an active member of The Association for Childhood Education International, a member of The NEA and Texas State Teacher’s Association. She was a life member of Delta Kappa Gamma honorary sorority for teachers and a life member of Sigma Sigma Sigma Social Sorority. She was also a member of Austin Teachers Association and later Austin Retired Teacher’s Association.

Lorene was a member of the Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School for many years, and a member of United Methodist Women.

As a mother she was active as a member of the Parent Teacher’s Association and participated as a homeroom mother. She served as a Cub Scout den mother for all of the boys during their Cub Scout years.

Lorene loved to garden, was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed needlepoint, cross stitch and crochet embroidery.

She was preceded in death by her mother; father; brother, Darrell; and sister, Vona.

She leaves to mourn her passing her husband, Charles E Laird; and her sons and their families: Charles E. Laird, Jr. and wife, Carolyn, Robert A. Laird and wife, Carol, Ronald William Laird and wife, Mary and Philip Eugene Laird and wife, Patti; grandchildren, Joe Rozier and wife Sheryl, Kenneth Laird, JoAnna Hanna and husband, Tom, Rebecca Reinbald, Benjamin Laird, Nicole Laird, Mark Laird and Sarah Mitton and husband, Phil; great-grandchildren, Kathelyn Hanna, Austin Hanna, Gavin Reinbold, Lacee Laird, Charlotte and Samantha Mitton.

Lorene’s last years were spent at The Heritage at Gaines Ranch where she was active as a volunteer on the Hospitality Committee, serving on the Resident Council, maintaining photo albums of the residents and directors and service people at The Heritage and supervising the canasta group.

Private services will be held at a later date.