She was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma. She graduated from Muskogee Central High School in Tahlequah, OK, and furthered her education at Northeastern State University. Her first job was at the local phone company.
Mrs. Laird met her husband, William Jefferson Laird in the summer of 1950. They married and moved to San Diego California, where Bill was stationed with the U.S. Navy. After his tour of duty, they moved back to Tulsa Oklahoma; and they both worked for Douglas Aircraft. In 1957, they moved to Norman Oklahoma; and Dean continued to work at Cities Service Oil Company. Dean and Bill adopted a baby girl in 1963 (Suzanne). They moved to Huntsville in 1966, and adopted two more children Tina (1967) and Neal (1970).
Mrs. Laird continued her education at Calhoun Community College, and began work as a CPA. She worked for Buffalo Taxes, Tech Masters Inc., COLSA, finally retiring in 2009 from SAIC. Dean was an active member of the Huntsville community. She joined the Community Ballet Board of Directors in 1974. She served as Season Ticket Chair for many years, and managed the box office for performances of the Huntsville Ballet Company. In 1986, Dean Laird was honored with the prestigious Ballet Laureate Award for outstanding service. She was active in many other organizations throughout her life, including the Red Hat Society, Bowling League, and Lions Club of America. The Lairds were involved in square dancing for over 30 years with Bama Ramblers Square Dance Club. Dean loved to travel, and traveled with her husband and friends, “The Castle Gang”, to several foreign countries and a number of trips throughout the United States. She loved to camp with family and friends. Mrs. Laird enjoyed time with family and her five grandchildren.
Mrs. Laird was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, William J. Laird; her father, William "Bud" Powers; her mother, Setha Powers and brother, L.D. Powers (MIA).
Survivors include daughters, Suzanne Cawthon and husband, William (Scully) of Huntsville and Tina Bosso of Gulf Breeze, FL; son, Neal Laird of Huntsville; grandchildren, Danielle Holm of Asheville, NC ; Cassidy and Ashton Bosso of Gulf Breeze, Cody Young-Cawthon of Huntsville and Connor Thomas of Lincoln; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Visitation will be at 12 p.m. Saturday at Valhalla Funeral Home, followed by the Funeral Service at 2:00 p.m. in Valhalla Chapel with Pastor Patrick Johnson officiating. Graveside services will follow at Valhalla Memory Gardens.
