Laurel Ann Rovello

Laurel Ann Rovello (ne'e Gamester) was born in Burlington, Massachusetts on November 29, 1942. She lived in Lexington, Massachusetts with her parents, Henry Ellsworth II and Eileen Marie, and her brother, Henry Ellsworth III, known as Topper. As a young child, Laurel's two grandmothers would frequently take her to the library and Laurel was learning to read by the age of three. Her favorite book growing up was The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Her Uncle Bill (William Nelson Gamester) was barely 18 years old in 1918 when he became a soldier in World War I. Prior to the war he was "quite the lady's man", however, he came back from the war traumatized and emotionally reserved. He surprised the family when, many years later, he would sit down to enjoy tea parties with his little niece Laurel.

In 1953 Laurel's family moved to Arcadia, California and four years later Eileen surprised Henry with the news that they would be parents for a third time. Henry responded with, "Don't tell the kids!" The kids soon found out and Laurel could not have been more pleased with the news and the arrival of a baby brother, Paul Nelson, in 1958.

Laurel graduated from Arroyo High School in 1960 where she excelled in academics and volleyball. During her high school years she and her friend Pat worked as telephone switchboard operators. Laurel had very fast hands. She would keep an eye on Pat, who was seated down the line. When she saw Pat reach for a call, Laurel would quickly grab the plugs on her own switchboard and connect the call before Pat could connect the call on hers. Pat would look over at Laurel and the two of them would laugh!

Laurel left her job at the phone company and began working at a bank. She also moved out of her family's home and into an apartment with Pat. One day, she was walking by the apartment pool with Pat when she noticed Richard Rovello, lounging by the pool, basking in the sun. Laurel took one look at him and said to Pat, "He’s mine!" and again they laughed. It was love at first sight. She had met the man of her dreams. Laurel's father would typically ignore the boyfriends she brought home to meet him, but this boyfriend was different. Henry said to Eileen, "I know he is older, because he has already been in the military, but I LIKE him!

Laurel and Richard married on May 3,1964. Soon after the wedding, the two moved to Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Within a year they were back in California. Laurel was expecting their first child. One day, close to the baby's due date, Laurel and her mother stopped by the bank where Laurel used to work. The manager came to greet them and turned to an employee and said, "Remember when I told you if a certain girl ever comes in you should immediately hire her?! Well, this is the girl! So, the employee looked at Laurel and asked, "Would you like a job?" The four of them had a good laugh at that. Laurel's first child arrived soon after, a daughter named Krista Lynn. Before long, there would be two more babies, a daughter, Tracey Ann, and then a son, Frank Henry. Many years later, a daughter-in-law, Sandy, would join the family.

In 1969 the family of five moved to Freehold, New Jersey. They enjoyed visiting with Richard's family, renting paddle boats at Turkey Swamp Park and going to Battleview Orchards to eat donuts, sip apple cider and pick apples. They also enjoyed going to the boardwalk to play in the arcades. Laurel and Richard spent time playing tennis and the whole family played softball and croquet with the neighbors. Laurel also spent time planting flowers in her rock garden, painting ceramics, and sewing.

In 1974 the family moved back to California. Laurel and Richard continued playing tennis together and Laurel kept very busy raising their three children, volunteering at their schools and leading Girl Scout and Cub Scouts troops. During this time she enjoyed sewing and macrame'. Laurel also enjoyed playing "Spit", a fast-paced card game, with her children. Her children had inherited her fast hands and the game could get very exciting at times and often ended up with bent cards and lots of laughs.

When her children were old enough Laurel went to work for Security Pacific Bank and continued to work there after it was bought by Bank of America. She worked her way up to Assistant Manager. She and Richard retired from their jobs and in 1993 they moved to Temecula. Laurel volunteered at the Temecula Valley Museum and the library's bookstore. Laurel and Richard joined a bowling league and through that they made many good friends. They enjoyed getting together with these friends to play cards and visit. Laurel and Richard also enjoyed traveling. She also spent time doing needlecraft and quilting.

In 2002, Laurel helped welcome her grandson, Steven Richard Seiden, into the world. She said when he arrived, he very calmly looked around as if to say, "So, what's the big deal?" To her, he was a very big deal. She took great delight in watching him grow, spoiling him, celebrating his accomplishments, and bragging about him. At Christmastime she would ask Steven, "Do you know what my favorite gift is?" He would pick up a bottle of hand cream and ask, "This?" She would laugh and say, "No." He would pick up some cozy socks and ask, "These?" She would laugh harder and say, "No, YOU, you are my favorite gift!"

In 2024, Laurel and Richard celebrated 60 years of marriage.

Laurel loved the beach, Balboa Island, Knotts Berry Farm's Chicken Restaurant, puzzle books, reading, playing cards, bowling, dogs and cats, hosting Christmastime cookie swaps, everything Christmas, cooking, baking, gardening and entertaining. But most of all, she loved her family.

We truly miss her.

A celebration of life will be held June 9th at 11 am at Hope City Church in Claremont, CA. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the City of Upland Animal Shelter at https://friendsofuplandanimalshelter.org/honor-remember