So I said, “Oh that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest” (Psalms 55:6) On October 2, 2018, Laurel Ann Vasquez received her wings and is now at rest. She passed away gracefully at home with her girls and husband gathered by her side. Throughout her struggle with cancer, Laurel’s love for the Lord gave her comfort but she expressed many times “I am anxious about how hard this is for others.” Even with facing death, she was concerned for others.
Laurel was born on April 2, 1959 and was baptized at the Mount Olympus Presbyterian Church on August 29, 1971. She grew up within the Salt Lake Valley, meeting her (choose one, or all) honey/baby/sweetheart/true love, David Aaron Vasquez, marrying him On November 19, 1976 and raising her “girls” alongside her Brandon. Throughout her life she worked in child care (“a fancy name for babysitter”) retail and the restaurant business but her most influential “job” was being a wife, mom, and grandma.
Laurel was an avid reader, the Bible being her favorite. She loved learning about different religions/humanitarians and trying to find their similarities rather than their differences. She was also fond of music, so much so that she named her dogs Journey and Zeppelin, and she knew every word to every Beatles song ever recorded (You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away, was her favorite). She enjoyed a good enchilada with lots of sour cream and a medium rare burger with a thick slice of homegrown tomato on top. (“Nothing’s better than a salt shaker in one hand and a tomato straight from the vine in the other that’s warm from the sun.”) Laurel loved to talk, although she claimed not to, especially on the phone. Many phone conversations with her could be 3-11 hours long! She loved docudramas, Petticoat Junction, Gone with the Wind, and of course, Jesus Christ Superstar. Coffee and milk were her go-to beverages. Laurel kept anything that could be used again, from coffee cans to tortilla bags, calling it saving money when you don’t have it. Throughout the years, she collected many newspaper articles, comic strips and poems that touched her profoundly making her own scrapbooking books before it was in style. The last 4-6 months of her life, she tried her best to spend time with people she loved doing the things they wanted to share with her. She often referred to this as marking off thing on other people’s bucket list, which many are forever grateful to have spent precious time with her.
Her dearest, David, is still with us along with Jessica, her artist who does “Jessica” better than anyone and Patrick, Jess’s partner. Maria, her glue, with Ryan. They are the mommy and daddy of Laurel’s sweet little loves, Jackson and Skyler. Jennifer, her heart child. Jen’s heart swelled to share her life with Pedro and Natalia (Jen’s heart child). Brandon, who won her heart from the beginning, with Tasha gave her Tyler, Makayla, Preston and Abigail. And then there is Junior, who has been patiently waiting and has her now. Along the way some loves have stayed, some have departed and some have arrived.
Some of Laurel’s words of wisdom are:
Be in appreciation of what we have rather than focusing on the hole in the middle
Take care of yourself for as long as you can
Get off your keister
Don’t leave a mess
Get yourself well
Continue growing and healing as a family
Keep the lesson
If one man calls you an ass pay no attention. If two men call you an ass get a saddle.
Tell the truth
I have hurt people with intention and without intention. I regret that. I did not have the right.
Apologize and mean it
I am grateful that mom did not make us all carbon copies of each other
It requires a different kind of band aid
An ethical man knows the difference between right and wrong. A moral man won’t do it.
In lieu of flowers, Laurel was adamant that all donations go to the Huntsman Cancer Institute at
https://give.huntsmancancer.org/page/4213
A viewing will be held at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 South Highland Drive, SLC, on Wednesday, October 10th from 10:00am to 12:00pm followed by graveside services from 12:00pm to 12:30pm. Pallbearers are Denis Stewart, Garry Stewart, Brandon Kranendonk, Ryan James, Pedro DaCosta and Patrick Davis. Honorary pallbearers are Tyler Kranendonk, Makayla Kranendonk, Preston Kranendonk, Abigail Kranendonk, Jackson James, Skyler James, and Natalia DaCosta.
Peace I ask of thee, O River, Peace, Peace, Peace
When I learn to live serenely cares will cease.
From the hills I gather courage, visions of the days to be,
Strength to lead and faith to follow, all are given unto me.
Peace I ask of thee, O River, Peace, Peace, Peace.
