Laura Lyn Erickson

One Amazing Woman

Laura was a compassionate friend, dedicated volunteer, and devoted mother. She was born Laura Lyn McCormick on January 3, 1950 in the Air Force Hospital on the Castle Air Force Base in Merced, California. She passed away peacefully at her home in Ojai, California on May 7, 2011 with her family at her side.

Her father, Robert McCormick, was a Colonel in the Air Force and Laura grew up traveling all over the world. One of her favorite stops overseas was in Madrid, Spain where she lived for many years and became fluent in Spanish. Laura and her family moved back to the United States where she attended Poly High School in Riverside, California. Some of her fondest memories from high school included being a member of the Homecoming Court, spending time with her girlfriends, and going to the beach.

After graduating from high school, Laura enrolled at Loyola Marymount University. She graduated from college in 1972 and became a teacher after completing her studies. Laura then decided to become a teacher at Saint Catherine Laboure in Torrance, California. After teaching for many years, she began a successful career as a pharmaceutical executive for Glaxo Smith Kline. During her career, Laura received many awards and was recognized for her honorable achievements and outstanding contributions for the company. She was one of the first women to pursue a career in this industry and loved how her job allowed her to help others. Her brilliance, intelligence, and extraordinary communication skills changed the lives of thousands of her patients, and established the standard of care for medical education of the physicians and health care providers she touched.

Her main passion in life was motherhood. Her son, Robert, was born on June 5, 1988 and immediately became the joy of Laura’s life. In addition to being a mother, Laura volunteered countless hours with youth sports and many charitable agencies in Ojai. With Laura’s support, Robert became an accomplished athlete and played football for the University of Southern California for all four years of his college career. She was extremely proud of his athletic career at USC, where he played in three Rose Bowls, the Emerald Bowl, and earned a scholarship as a student athlete. Laura was by Robert’s side during each of his athletic endeavors and was always his most dedicated fan.

In the 1990s, Laura met Ron Wilson and shortly after, the two of them fell in love. She retired in 2001 after a successful career and stayed in Ojai to fulfill her job as a full time mother to Robert.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Marie McCormick, and her father Robert McCormick. She is survived by her husband, Ron Wilson, her son, Robert, two stepsons, Dr. Jimmy Wilson and Greg Erickson, their wives, Candice Wilson and Renee Erickson, five grandchildren, her sister, Karyn DeLong, her brother-in-law, Darrell DeLong, their children, Jim DeLong and Laura McCauley, and three dogs.

Laura was an amazing woman who lived each day with a smile on her face. She made those around her laugh each day and graced each person she met with her compassion and gracious heart. Her caring spirit and enormous love for her family touched those close to her and made her an amazing woman who will truly be missed.

A memorial mass will be held in her memory at Saint Thomas Aquinas Church at 185 St. Thomas Drive, Ojai, California on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 10:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Laura Lyn Erickson Fight On Memorial Fund at USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. Please make checks payable to USC Norris and note they are to go to the Laura Lyn Erickson Fight On Memorial Fund. Checks can be mailed to USC Norris, 1441 Eastlake Avenue Suite 8302, Los Angeles California 90033. Gifts can also be made online at www.uscnorris.com/norristributes.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura, (805) 643-9977. Condolences may be left at TedMayrFuneralHome.com.