Laurie Roberts

Life held many blessings for Laurie Roberts. She was thankful for much and lived life completely and fully at every opportunity. She found the love of her Lord in the music she played and through those she loved. Outgoing and fun loving, Laurie had a great sense of humor and looked towards the positive. Her life‘s imprint has indeed been left on the hearts of many and she will be long remembered for her beautiful smile and kind heart.

Even though tensions continued to flare overseas, the 1950s marked a quieter, more stable time in America as the baby boom found families moving into newly developed suburbs. With the increasing number of women entering the workforce, the introduction of the TV dinner was a welcome addition to their kitchens. While Elvis Presley was ushering in his career, the U.S. Supreme Court ushered out segregation, deeming it unconstitutional in all U.S. public schools. A most welcome event in the lives of Dr. John and Venetia Laman was the birth of their beautiful baby girl they lovingly named Laurie. Born at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan on November 14, 1954, she was the first of eventually three children in the Laman home. Laurie was a wonderful big sister when she was later joined by her siblings, Kerry and John.

Even as a young child, Laurie seemed to have much ability and talent. A little mischievous at times, that particular trait remained with her throughout her life. Laurie was an outgoing and happy child, and always made friends easily while growing up in Hartford, Michigan. She attended the local schools and during her senior year at Hartford High School, Laurie was voted Most Likely to Succeed by her classmates. She also entered the Miss Hartford Pageant and was voted Miss Congeniality. An all around girl, Laurie was well liked by many. It was easy to see why with her outgoing personality and spirited nature. A selfless leader, she volunteered her time at the Van Buren Youth Camp as a camp counselor. Her high school days were filled with a flurry of activity too as she balanced her studies along with being a member of the band. She enjoyed memorable times as a cheerleader and a majorette, and was also involved with the D.A.R. program for good citizenship. Following her graduation in 1973, Laurie enrolled at Hope College and later went on to graduate from Nazareth College, earning her Bachelor‘s Degree in Business.

Always musically inclined and talented, Laurie enjoyed music and performed often on piano, guitar, flute and as a vocal soloist for several choirs she was a member of. An accomplished pianist in her own right, she also served as a private piano instructor in Kalamazoo for a time. At the root of Laurie’s positive demeanor and warmth was a foundation of faith. She was a member of the Hartford UMC and later Westwood UMC. As a 29 year employee of Pfizer and the former Upjohn and Pharmacia Corporation, Laurie devoted her time and business know-how as a dedicated, longtime employee. With her gregarious personality, Laurie was a tried and true University of Michigan football and basketball fan and relished in attending their games when she could. She recently became an avid fan of the Detroit Tigers as well. She always enjoyed swimming and water skiing, and found joy reading and gardening. Laurie shared a special relationship with each of her grandmothers and loved spending time with them and caring for each of them.

Nothing compared to Laurie’s commitment and dedication than that of caring for her son, Matt. She was truly blessed to have him in her life, and counted his birth as one of the happiest days of her life. Throughout Matt’s childhood, Laurie often sang to him, and could always bring a smile to his face when she made hilarious impressions of family members and famous people. Another happy day for Laurie included falling in love with Rev. Jim Roberts. As second cousins, Laurie and Jim had known each other their entire lives. They were joined in marriage on February 10, 2007 at the Flagler Beach UMC in Florida. An instant family, Laurie not only brought Matt into their union but was equally blessed to become the stepmother to Jim’s twin daughters, Rebecca and Renee. Family was important to Laurie, and her best friend and companion included her beloved dog, Penny, a black lab/border collie mix. All in all, Laurie’s most treasured place to be was at home with Jim in front of a roaring fire or swimming together in their pool.

Laurie was currently a member of Fulton Christian Church where her husband is the pastor. It was there that Laurie found much support and prayer earlier this year when she was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Through it all, Laurie held close to her faith and maintained a very courageous attitude towards her illness. Although always one to research everything, Laurie was especially focused on researching anything she could to understand ALS and prepare herself for it. At the age of 55, Laurie went into the arms of Jesus on Friday, April 30, 2010.

Life held many blessings for Laurie Roberts, and she included among them the day she was born, both into the world and into the family of God, giving birth to her son Matt and sharing vows of marriage with her life companion, Jim. She leaves her mark on the hearts of many, and will be remembered fondly with love.

Members of her family include her husband, Pastor James Roberts; her parents, Dr. John and Venetia Laman; a son, Matthew Burke; twin stepdaughters, Rebecca (Eric) Ivany and Renee’ (Andy) Miller; sister, Kerry (Rick) Samulak; brother, John (Cathie) Laman; her grandmother, Rose Laman; two aunts, Nancy VanderSalm and Becky Laman-Hynes; three nieces, three nephews, five great-nieces and nephews; five cousins and her special friend and pup, Penny. Laurie’s family will receive friends on Monday, 4-7 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home-Portage, 5975 Lovers Lane. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at 4:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo. Visit Laurie’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com to submit a favorite memory, photo, sign her guest book online before coming to the funeral home and to make a memorial donation to the ALS Foundation or Fulton Christian Church.