We love Laura so much. She had an open-hearted joy that included everyone. She was her authentic self in every interaction. From the moment she met you, she was a genuine friend. I first met her when she was dating my Uncle Joe, and I knew from the first fifteen minutes that I loved her and we needed her to be in our family! Thinking of her, I have a montage of awesome moments flipping through my brain: the time she took me out on an ATV in Flagstaff and drove a million miles an hour… while wearing espadrilles and dangly earrings, whooping at the top of her lungs over the roar of the engine (she laughed while I held on to the “Jesus” handle!). Helping serve a huge amount of awesome food at a family reunion, which she helped plan. Swimming with my daughter in her arms, encouraging my baby to kick her legs. Taking my kids out to paint cute faces on little rocks, and then ding-dong-ditching them on neighbors’ front porches (my kids giggling from their ‘hiding places’ behind very small trees). Holding my grandpa’s hand while he was ill; holding my grandma’s hand while she was grieving. Bringing me to her favorite markets to get “the good cheese,” “the good tortillas,” and the decorations for my classroom for Dia de Muertos – followed by a side trip to eat the best posole – she knew what was up! Bringing my children little birthday cakes with their favorite cartoon characters. Making sure everyone had a comfy chair and their favorite drinks. Her absolute devotion to her family… and the fact that pretty much everyone was family to her. She loved with her whole heart. Everyone’s cheerleader, everyone’s mom, everyone’s friend, everyone’s advisor. She was the person who organized and motivated, took the weight off others -- either by doing the work or fully joining in the fun. And she would go along with any theme you wanted – she’d wear the costumes, sing the songs, make the decorations – she was in for whatever you wanted, enthusiastically participating in whatever activity was planned. She was always happy to see you, no matter how long it had been since she saw you last. A good listener, an amazing cook, a wonderful mother, and, to us, a vivacious, vibrant, and loving auntie. What a privilege it is to have been loved by her.