Laura Stanley Gunnels

Laura Stanley Gunnels, 79, passed away peacefully at her home February 28, 2016. She left behind a heck of a lot of stuff to her three daughters who have no idea what to do with it. So, if you are looking for any number of extremely uncomfortable seating arrangements from every era furniture was made, a large ceramic vase (maybe)/umbrella/cane stand, a toaster oven (slightly used) or even a piece of art that could or could not actually be worth something and 1,000's of plates, flatware and serving pieces for which we are unsure for what they are used - you should wait the appropriate amount of time and give us a call. Tomorrow would be fine. This is not an ad for a garage sale, though that would probably thrill her, but an obituary for a great woman, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother born on July 12, 1936 in Columbus, Ohio, the daughter of the late Lawrence D. and Sarah M. Stanley or Grammar and Grandpa as they were better known. She leaves behind a very mismatched, crazy family of whom she was very proud, and will be sorely missed and survived by her children, Cornelia "Connie" Brown (Jay), Amelia Lambert (Zane), and Sarah Gunnels Porter (Doug); grandchildren, Jake, Rebecca, Austin, Hannah, Andrew, Allison, Clayton, Emeline and Lachlan and great-granddaughter, Ryleigh. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Lee Oliver Gunnels. All whom loved her dearly will never forget her tenacity, wit, charm, grace (when pertinent) and undying love and caring for them. Laura was renowned for her lack of patience, not holding back her opinion and a knack for telling it like it is. She always told you the truth even if it was not what you wanted to hear. It was the school of hard knocks and her children were told many times how she had to walk for miles in a blizzard to get to school! With that said, she was genuine to a fault, a pussy cat at heart (or lion) and yet she sugar coated nothing. Her extensive vocabulary was more than highly proficient with an aptitude for pronouncing words in a unique way – ketchup will forever be catsup and one does not even know how to put into print her pronunciation of parmesan! Everyone always knew where you stood with her. She liked you or she didn't, it was black or white. Her children are still trying to figure out which one it was for them (they know she loved them). Words of encouragement, wisdom, and sometimes comfort, kept them in line, taught them tolerance and a sense of accountability and gave them something to pass down to their children. Family get-togethers; which were very frequent and most often mandatory, always created a memory and a smile. Laura graduated with a degree in Education and taught elementary school. She was proud of her ability to connect with children. After retiring to raise her own, she went on as a business woman of her own acclaim as well as philanthropic notary. Her fondest contributions went to Alvis House in Ohio. She was absolutely meticulous about her business attire as well as her scheduled luncheon cocktail – or two. If not mentioned earlier, there are many, many women's business suits available as well! Her work here is done; however. She received a call, a sort of an offer you cannot refuse, for an appointment from which she will not be returning. As a bonus she will reunite with those she has not seen in a long time and who she spoke of every day after they left her here on earth. Her new undertaking takes her to a wonderful place where she will be socializing, swimming, gardening and reading to her heart's content. Music, laughter and love are guaranteed. Food is delicious and you never gain an ounce so she will have no need to seek out the fat-free sour cream, yogurt or cream cheese. She left detailed instructions for her children to celebrate her work here, which has now been completed. Low adherence to this instruction will not be tolerated. She left this world feeling she was given the gift of life, and now had to give it back. It was hard, at the end, feeling older and not so needed, but she truly felt she was a lucky woman, who led a lucky existence, and for that she was grateful. She shared with her girls that she was joyful about having a full life, rather than sad about having to leave it. She was jubilant to have brought one child into this world herself and had the never ending gift to raise two others to be adults – all three whom she was almost always proud. She accepted what she could not change and looked forward to being with her parents and her best friend, and beloved husband of 56 years once again. She was at peace with where her journey took her and was ready to take her mortal leave of this amazing, changing world – this sun, that snow, the walk along Barefoot Beach and the shores of Lake Michigan with cousin Larry, the crowds at her adored Buckeyes games, the warmth of friendly conversation with her newest friend Hilda and the memory of a nurse asking her if she would like to hold her oldest child for the first time. Her cherished children, Connie, Amy and Sarah. Her treasured friends and family. She shared, in the end, how precious they all had been to her and that knowing and loving each one of them was the true success story of her life. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, March 4, 2016 at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL, 1740 Zollinger Rd, Columbus, OH 43221. Immediately following, she will be laid to rest beside her parents at Green Lawn Cemetery. A reception will be held at Hyde Park, 1615 Old Henderson Rd, Upper Arlington, OH 43220. at 4pm for those who would like to visit and reminisce.