Laura M. Boyd

Laura M. Boyd, 81, died Saturday, July 14, 2012, at Providence St.
Mary Medical Center, due to heart failure.

Laura was born Sept. 20, 1930, in Columbia, Mo., to Edward Berry and
Olive (Neville) Berry and was the first of three daughters. She spent her childhood in Warrensburg, Mo., on a farm which she very much enjoyed. The family relocated to St. Louis, Mo., where her father completed his doctorate at Washington University. When Laura was 14,
her father relocated the family to Richland, Wash., to begin work on the Manhattan Project during World War II. She graduated from
Columbia High School Richland in 1948. In high school she was a member of the Thespian Society, the Girl’s Athletic Association, and was active in the youth group at Central United Protestant Church. Laura enjoyed spending her summers at Girl Scout Camp as a counselor and waterfront director. She met her future husband, Richard Boyd, while
attending Columbia High School Richland. Laura then attended Central Washington College of Education in Ellensburg, Wash., where she began working on her education degree specializing in art. After two years, she transferred to Wichita University in Wichita, Kan., where she
completed her bachelors in Education. Laura then began her teaching career in Concordia, Kan., teaching art in both the middle and high school grades in 1952 until her marriage.

Laura married her husband, Richard Boyd, on Aug. 25, 1956, in
Wichita, Kan. They spent their first year of marriage in Scotland
where Richard had a fellowship from Boston University to attend St. Andrews University. Richard was ordained in the Methodist Church in 1956, and the couple moved back to the United States in 1957 where they were assigned their first parish in Cottonwood/Nez Perce, Ida. In
1962, they moved to Anacortes, Wash., where they adopted their two children. Other appointments they were went to include, Lewiston, Ida. 1966-1969, Mercer Island, Wash 1969-1972, Spokane 1972-1977, Walla Walla 1977-1983, Kent, Wash. 1983-1991, Tacoma 1991-1995, and they finally retired in Walla Walla in 1995 to be closer to their children
and grandchildren.

Laura really enjoyed working with her hands and made beautiful batik
hangings and pillows, created jewelry, and always enjoyed a good art project of any kind. She was also an excellent seamstress and enjoyed needlework. Laura loved taking photos of wildflowers and putting on
slide shows along with camping and being outdoors in general. The
beach or the mountains were her favorite places to be. She enjoyed reading especially mysteries and the pursuit of knowledge. Laura enjoyed swimming and was active on swim teams throughout her life. She
loved cats and always had a pet until she moved to retirement living. Laura enjoyed living close to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Richard, of Odd Fellows Home; her son, Kent Boyd, College Place; her daughter, Kathy Thompson, Walla Walla; her granddaughters, Paige Boyd, Walla Walla, Sydney Boyd, Walla Walla, Jocelyn Thompson, Walla Walla; her grandson, Turner Thompson, Walla
Walla; two great-grandsons, Damien Smiley, Walla Walla, and Linus Smiley, Walla Walla; her sister, Martha (Fred) Fletcher, Toronto, Ontario, Nancy (Harold) Steinback, Beaver Dam, Wisc.; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Edward C. Berry and Olive (Neville) Berry.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 21, 2012, at 3 p.m., at Pioneer United Methodist Church, 209 E. Birch St., Walla Walla. The Rev. Charles (Chuck) Hindman will preside over the service. Light refreshments will be served following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Heifer Projects International thru the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder.