Laura Leigh Whitney

Laura Leigh Whitney, age 74, passed away peacefully on September 22, 2026, at 3:12 p.m. She leaves behind a life defined by faith, family, compassion, music, nursing, and the countless stories and moments that made her so deeply loved.

Laura was born on August 12, 1952, in Denver, Colorado, to Anna Margaret “Peggy” Ribbing and Carl Ribbing Jr. She was the beloved older sister of Carl Ribbing III.

Before Laura was born, her mother believed she was expecting a baby boy named Christopher. When a baby girl arrived instead, Peggy chose the name Laura. As a third-grade teacher, Peggy often said that in all her years of teaching, she had never known a “bad girl named Laura.” Her father had his own special name for his little girl, calling her “liten flicka,” a Swedish term meaning “little girl.” Laura would later say that her mother allowed her father to choose her middle name, Leigh, after Scarlett O’Hara, portrayed by actress Vivien Leigh.

Laura grew up in South Denver with her younger brother, Carl. From an early age, music became an important part of her life. By third grade, she was playing the viola and performing in advanced orchestra. She also became an accomplished pianist, and one of her favorite songs to play was “Morning Has Broken.”

Laura graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. During her young adult years, she was an active member of Job’s Daughters, Bethel No. 1, serving as Honored Queen from October 1970 through March 1971. She later became a member of Eastern Stars, continuing her involvement in organizations that were meaningful to her.

Faith was a cornerstone of Laura’s life. On May 10, 1973, she accepted Christ and committed her life to Him. On June 17, 1973, she was baptized into Christ. Her faith remained a source of strength and comfort throughout her life and shaped the way she cared for and loved others.

Laura began her nursing career in 1974 at St. Joseph Hospital, where she worked full-time from September 1974 through 1985. She cared for patients in neonatal intensive care and pediatrics and later continued her nursing career through private duty nursing, home care, and school nursing. Her work was more than a profession; caring for others was deeply woven into who she was.

One of the most meaningful chapters of Laura’s nursing career involved a tiny patient named Courtney Lynn Smith. Courtney was born August 27, 1982, approximately 12 weeks premature and weighing only 1 pound, 5 ounces. Laura became her primary nurse. Courtney arrived on a ventilator requiring full-scale settings, and Laura remembered looking at this incredibly fragile little girl and thinking, “I shouldn’t get attached to this precious little girl.”

But she did.

Courtney remained in the intensive care nursery for approximately nine weeks. During that time, a special bond developed between Courtney and Laura. After Courtney went home, Laura remained part of her life and babysat her many times. One of Laura’s greatest joys was seeing Courtney healthy and thriving at three years old. It was a beautiful reminder of the lasting connections she formed with the people in her care.

Laura married Gary Edward Wagner, her late husband, and together they welcomed their only daughter, Kathleen Elizabeth, on November 20, 1979. Being a mother was one of the most cherished roles of Laura’s life, and her love for Katie remained constant throughout the years.

On October 7, 1994, Laura married Greg Donald Whitney at Augustana Lutheran Church. Together they built their home and life in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Their years together were filled with family, traditions, adventures, and the everyday moments that became treasured memories.

Laura and Greg honeymooned in Kauai, Hawaii, and later created special family memories at Walt Disney World. They enjoyed many nights square dancing at Fiddle Steppers and shared a love of watching the Denver Broncos. Their family also included three beloved dogs over the years: Sadie Sue, Sunnie Rose, and Charley.

Greg had a special way of making Laura feel loved. He brought her flowers and always remembered her favorites for birthdays, anniversaries, and ordinary days when he simply wanted to make her smile. One of Laura’s most treasured possessions was a jewelry box Greg handcrafted especially for her. She cherished not only the box itself, but the love and thought he put into creating something just for her.

Laura’s family grew again when she became a grandmother. She adored her three grandchildren: Christine Hannigan, born February 17, 2001; Cameron Hannigan, born June 10, 2002; and Cailea Leigh Hannigan, born January 30, 2005. Cailea’s middle name, Leigh, was given in honor of her beloved grandmother.

Being a grandmother brought Laura tremendous joy. She loved being present for births, birthdays, milestones, accomplishments, phone calls, and the ordinary conversations that kept them connected. She wanted to know what was happening in their lives and took genuine delight in watching each of them grow into the people they became.

Whenever Laura spoke with her grandchildren, she often ended their conversations with the words, “I love you. Forever and always.” Those words became part of the legacy of love she leaves with them.

Laura found happiness in many simple pleasures throughout her life. She loved music, stories, family gatherings, flowers, her dogs, and time spent with the people closest to her. She loved watching the Denver Broncos, and she was especially excited when she purchased one of her cars from John Elway Toyota and received signed hats. She enjoyed traveling, spending time at the beach in Ocean City, New Jersey, going to concerts, and listening to and playing music. She especially loved Neil Diamond, The Phantom of the Opera, and Cats, which was her favorite.

Laura was many things to many people: a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, caring sister and daughter, faithful friend, and compassionate nurse. But above all, she was someone who made people feel cared for. She remembered the details, told the stories, made the phone calls, gave the hugs, and found ways to let the people she loved know they mattered.

Laura is survived by her husband, Greg Donald Whitney; daughter, Katie Hannigan; son-in-law, John Hannigan IV; grandchildren Christine Hannigan, Cameron Hannigan, and Cailea Leigh Hannigan; brother Carl Ribbing III; sister-in-law Mary Ribbing; and their children, Marcy, Ann, Carl IV, and Justin, along with their spouses and children.

Laura Leigh Whitney leaves behind a legacy of faith, compassion, family, and love. Her life touched generations, from the fragile newborns she cared for as a nurse to the grandchildren whose lives she treasured. Though she is no longer here to tell another story, make another phone call, play another song, or say those familiar words, the love she gave will continue through the people she loved most.

“I love you. Forever and always.”