1921
Mary
2013
Mary Elizabeth Laur
February 8, 1921 — May 26, 2013
Mary E. Laur, 92, died Sunday, May 26, 2013 in Amarillo.
She was born February 8, 1921, in Beaumont, Texas, daughter of Grace Talmadge Kirby and John Ralston Kirby. She married Dr. William E. Laur of Saginaw, Mich., on December 31, 1943, in Detroit.
Mrs. Laur graduated high school in Beaumont in 1939. She continued her education at Lamar College in Beaumont and graduated in 1943 from University of Texas School of Nursing at John Sealy Hospital in Galveston. She was certified as a National Red Cross Nurse and worked at domestic doctors’ offices and hospitals during World War II while her husband served as a U.S. Army battalion surgeon in Europe.
She and her husband moved to Amarillo in September 1949, and Dr. Laur began his dermatology practice. The Laurs raised four sons in Amarillo. Mary was active at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church where she established the St. Monica’s Guild for New Mothers and later served in the Kindergarten Parents Group during the early years of St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. She served a term as president of the Friends of Amarillo Public Library and was active in the Great Books Discussion Group for over forty years. She served a term as president of Potter-Randall County Medical Auxiliary and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Mary and William were enthusiastic world travelers and members of the International Club of Amarillo. She actively pursued her interests and hobbies, studying art and theater during her mid-life. She enjoyed oil painting, acting, and directing, and was a supporter of the Amarillo Symphony.
Mrs. Laur is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Dr. William E. Laur, and her brother, John Ralston Kirby, Jr. She is survived by her son, Eric of Amarillo; son, Edward and wife Marla of Amarillo; son, John and wife Frances of Albuquerque, NM; son, Mike and wife Shelley of Manitou Springs, CO; granddaughter, Gail Laur of Tulsa, OK; grandson, Johnathan Laur and wife Tiffany of Amarillo; grandson, Austen Laur and wife Alexa of Tulsa, OK; grandson, Casey Laur and wife Mallory of Prairie Village, KS; grandson, Jason McDuffie of Tulsa, OK; grandson, Seth Price of Albuquerque, NM; and six great-grandchildren, Zoe Zamora, Phoebe Laur, Piper Laur, Charlotte Laur, Simon Laur and Jasen McDuffie.
A private memorial service will be held for family. A reception for family and visitors will be held Saturday, June 1, at 11 a.m. in the Parish Hall of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 1601 Georgia St. in Amarillo. In lieu of flowers or food, the family suggests memorials be made to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and the Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Foundation.
She was born February 8, 1921, in Beaumont, Texas, daughter of Grace Talmadge Kirby and John Ralston Kirby. She married Dr. William E. Laur of Saginaw, Mich., on December 31, 1943, in Detroit.
Mrs. Laur graduated high school in Beaumont in 1939. She continued her education at Lamar College in Beaumont and graduated in 1943 from University of Texas School of Nursing at John Sealy Hospital in Galveston. She was certified as a National Red Cross Nurse and worked at domestic doctors’ offices and hospitals during World War II while her husband served as a U.S. Army battalion surgeon in Europe.
She and her husband moved to Amarillo in September 1949, and Dr. Laur began his dermatology practice. The Laurs raised four sons in Amarillo. Mary was active at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church where she established the St. Monica’s Guild for New Mothers and later served in the Kindergarten Parents Group during the early years of St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. She served a term as president of the Friends of Amarillo Public Library and was active in the Great Books Discussion Group for over forty years. She served a term as president of Potter-Randall County Medical Auxiliary and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Mary and William were enthusiastic world travelers and members of the International Club of Amarillo. She actively pursued her interests and hobbies, studying art and theater during her mid-life. She enjoyed oil painting, acting, and directing, and was a supporter of the Amarillo Symphony.
Mrs. Laur is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Dr. William E. Laur, and her brother, John Ralston Kirby, Jr. She is survived by her son, Eric of Amarillo; son, Edward and wife Marla of Amarillo; son, John and wife Frances of Albuquerque, NM; son, Mike and wife Shelley of Manitou Springs, CO; granddaughter, Gail Laur of Tulsa, OK; grandson, Johnathan Laur and wife Tiffany of Amarillo; grandson, Austen Laur and wife Alexa of Tulsa, OK; grandson, Casey Laur and wife Mallory of Prairie Village, KS; grandson, Jason McDuffie of Tulsa, OK; grandson, Seth Price of Albuquerque, NM; and six great-grandchildren, Zoe Zamora, Phoebe Laur, Piper Laur, Charlotte Laur, Simon Laur and Jasen McDuffie.
A private memorial service will be held for family. A reception for family and visitors will be held Saturday, June 1, at 11 a.m. in the Parish Hall of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 1601 Georgia St. in Amarillo. In lieu of flowers or food, the family suggests memorials be made to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and the Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Foundation.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Elizabeth Laur, please visit our flower store.