Laura Nell Johnson Condrey

Laura Nell Johnson was born in Duncan, Oklahoma April 2, 1926, to William Herbert and Mattie May Jones Johnson. She passed away December 3, 2014, in Irvine, CA on what would have been her 65th wedding anniversary had Dad not predeceased her in August.

My mother was a spunky lady, funny, and always interested in having a good time. From riding a wagon off the roof of their barn as a girl, to being up for most any diversion, especially if I’d do it with her. She loved humor, and fashion, and “doing.”

Laura graduated from Oklahoma A&M (Oklahoma State University) with a BS in Home Economics. She was an Aggiette. She not only could twirl and toss a baton, she was a master of the Swing, Lindy and Jitterbug and was voted “Jitterbug Queen” her senior year.

She married Jack Messenger Condrey December 3, 1949, after their graduation. They joined her family’s ranching operation in Wyoming from 1950-1955, then moved to Denver, CO. Dad’s job transferred him to Scottsdale, AZ, in 1963, and to Newport Beach, CA, in 1976.

When my brother Jack, Jr. and I were growing up, Mom was there for us as room mother or Den mother or Brownie leader. She was president of the PTA. She and I were always close, holding our confidential conversations over a game of jacks on the floor of the kitchen or as she taught me to sew and how to alter a pattern to add a creative touch. She made most all of my clothes from my birth through high school. And she loved shopping. We spent many a weekend shopping together – almost forever – and only slowed this year.

My father called her a Club Lady, as she was active in many organizations while they lived in Denver, Scottsdale and Irvine. She belonged to Irvine Newcomers Club and Irvine Women’s Club for nearly 40 years. She held multiple offices with the American Association of University Women and was a lifetime member. She was Regent, 1st Vice Regent, Registrar, Recording Secretary and Corresponding Secretary with the Colonel William Cabell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Five offices is a record for the chapter. She was a charter member of the Stage Door Chapter of the Guilds of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, holding an office every year for 33 years, including three years as Chairman.

Mom and Dad loved to play Bridge, and even my early memories are of bridge groups at our home. She missed him deeply after his passing saying daily, “He was my sweetheart. I miss him so much.”

The Lord has called them home, to enjoy each other eternally. They will remain in our hearts forever.

Laura is survived by her daughter Susan and her husband William Gordon, their sons Will and Ben; her son, Jack Jr., his wife Colleen and their sons Jackson and Danny; sister-in-law Sandra Johnson, nieces and nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Jack Condrey, and by her brothers Bill, George, Joe and Dave Johnson.