LAURA LEE DAWSON BRUNSDON ~ Class of 1973
May 15, 1955 - July 21, 2009

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Laura passed away unexpectedly on July 21, 2009 at her home in Kennewick. She was born on May 15, 1955 to Jack and Ann Dawson.

Laura Dawson Brunsdon, girl, woman, wife, mother, grandmother left this life this past week. Laura was content to be the Tri-City girl, what she loved was here and near here and she needed to search no further.

If she was asked to talk about her early years what came to mind was the Tri-City Track Club (T.C.T.C.). This was a group of girls from Christ the King, LDS, and CUP well before there was a Title IX program for girls. They ran, jumped and threw all around eastern Washington competing against the bigger clubs and winning. T.C.T.C., or the TicTic Girls as they were known would sew cut out blocks of felt on JCPenney t-shirts while riding in the back of an old station wagon on the way to the next meet.

In later years she studied welding, worked at installing insulation, and traffic control. She was always willing to match her strength on the job with anyone.

Laura was a finalist in the Mrs. Washington Pageant in 1987 and loved to model good clothes and flash her beautiful smile.

Laura attended Christ the King and Columbia High School. She enjoyed camping with Grandma and Grandpa Dawson and riding the Honda 50. She loved to run track and was well known for her long legs.

She had a way with words. She had an unmatched ability to solve word puzzles and she could turn a phrase with unexpectedly hilarious results. She was always in good humor, even when she wanted to be angry. She was the kind of person who would give a "thumbs up" to a driver that cut her off, changing lanes when what she really wanted was to "give them the finger".

Laura's love was subtle and powerful. It resembled a tide that before you knew it consumed you. She was an artist of patience, diligence, and skill. Her quilts are works of art filled with meaning, history and love. They have the aesthetic character of a simple housewife and mother yet contain love and history of family that could be smelled, touched and keep a body warm when the world was cold. Her quilts were made of piece of our lives. They explain us in squares, patterns, and fabric spoken through her hands, and manifested in the material world. She was an artist.

Laura was a dedicated housewife and mother who took great pleasure in caring for her family. She battled cancer with poise, dignity and an unparalleled sense of humor. Her upbeat personality and quick wit endeared her to all she met. Almost everyone who met her used the words "neat lady."

She enjoyed a quiet life spent quilting and doing crafts. Every member of her extended family has slept under her hand-stitched quilts.

She was an avid lover of all God's creatures, but guinea pigs and rabbits held a special place in her heart.

Laura is survived by her husband Douglas G. Brunsdon; her children Heather (Mitch) Hough, their daughters Kayla Norberg and August Ann Hough; sons Nathan Smith and friend Danielle Yencopal, Shayne Smith and wife Nicole; father Jack Dawson ('52) and wife Murrel; two sisters and one brother: her sister Vikki Dawson ('72) (Steve ('70)) Piippo their children Kara, Kristi (Keith Grennan), Scott (Cara) Piippo, and Steven Piippo of Richland; her brother John M. Dawson ('82) of Richland; and her sister LeAnn ('84) (Dave) Davidson their children Bailey, Bjorn, and William of Seattle; her father and mother-in-law Ted and Beulah Brunsdon of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.

Laura married Gene Norberg and produced a beautiful daughter Heather. She later married Brian Smith and had two wonderful sons Nathan and Shayne. Laura found her soul mate when she married Doug (Greg) Brunsdon and spent the last thirteen years in love.

She was preceded in death by her mother Ann.

Memorial services will be held at 10am Saturday, July 25, 2009 at Einan's Funeral Home, Richland, with inurnment to follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers please make donations in her name to the cancer center, animal shelter or a charity of your choice.

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