Laura was born in Hopkinton, Iowa, to George Heims and Florence (Jurgens) Heims on August 28, 1928. She grew up in Monticello, Iowa, graduating from Sacred Hearts High School in 1946 and then from the Northwest Institute of Medical Technology in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1950.
She met her Cuban born husband, Dr. Carlos Perez-Mesa, while working at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Dr. Perez-Mesa knew only several English phrases at the time, which included, “please don’t order the lobster” and “I’m not Desi Arnez.” They were married in Monticello, Iowa in 1959 and honeymooned in Dubuque, Iowa. Detroit and Newark must have been booked at the time.
Laura furthered her education by attending classes at the University of Iowa, Colorado College and the University of Missouri, where she was very involved with Osher Life Long Learning. Yet, she could still not teach her husband how to pronounce “Vikings” or “fantastic.”
She is survived by her children: Carlos Perez-Mesa, Jr., who resides in Kailua, Hawaii; Michael, who resides in, ironically, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and; daughter, Melissa Hayes, who resides in Webster Groves, Missouri. In addition, Laura has 8 grandchildren: Carlos Aurelio and Ava Perez-Mesa; Austin, Gabriella and Carlie Perez-Mesa and; John Carlos, Michael Thomas and William Hayes.
Laura’s husband, Dr. Carlos Perez-Mesa, died in 2000. Even 41 years later, he still told her not to order the lobster.
Laura’s siblings include Joseph Heims (deceased), Louis Heims, and Mary Noshbish.
In light of the current COVID restrictions, a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Columbia, Missouri. Details of this service and Celebration of Life, most likely to occur in mid-2021, will be provided later.
Laura has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the “Dr. Carlos Perez-Mesa Lectureship in the Medical Humanities”:
University of Missouri----Columbia
Office of Development
One Hospital Drive, DC 205.00
Columbia, Missouri, 65212
Or to the We Always Swing Jazz Series, 21 N 10th st, Columbia, MO 65201
Laura’s motto was “treasure every moment that you have, and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time. Remember that time waits for no one, yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present. Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their heart to us.” No one was a better friend than Laura Perez-Mesa.
The unofficial mayor of Columbia is, sadly, now no longer. Long live the Queen.
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