LAURA McGHIE LAMBOURNE

Laura McGhie Lambourne, a long time resident of the Peninsula and Los Altos passed away May 19, 2005 of natural causes. She was ninety-six years old and predeceased by her husband of fifty-six years Richard W. Lambourne. He died in 1989. She is survived by three children and their spouses; David and Barbara Lambourne of Los Altos, CA, Kenneth and Ann Lambourne of Fort Collins, CO and Catherine and Peter Engel of Los Angeles, CA; and a sister Louise Johnson of Puyallup, WA. She has ten grandchildren and twenty-two great grandchildren.

Laura had a family heritage of English, Scottish and Irish and was proud of her membership in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. She was born in Salt Lake City and was one of seven children. Her father died when she was four and Laura would later join her sisters in working to support the family along with her mother who was a school teacher. It was a wonderful family success story.

She attended the University of Utah majored in Education and taught elementary school. At the University, she was Sweetheart of the Sigma Chi and a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She had a face full of love and a smile with a twinkle in her blue eyes.

Laura married Dick Lambourne in 1933. They lived briefly in New York City and Salt Lake City before moving to the Peninsula. Later they returned to New York City for several years when Dick was Treasurer of the Ford Foundation. Laura was a dedicated homemaker, elegant hostess and famous for her beautiful flower arrangements. She was an accomplished artist especially in charcoal and was past President of the Palo Alto Art Club. Laura loved the magic of storytelling and spent thousands of hours, over the years, telling stories to children in Peninsula libraries, schools, churches and community centers as well as the Palo Alto Junior Museum. She was a Leader in the Palo Alto Storytellers Guild. Laura was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She especially enjoyed teaching young children and was a past Stake Primary President. At one time in the early years her responsibility was from San Francisco to Monterey. A personal goal was always compassionate service to everyone.

A Memorial Service was May 30. 2005 at the Heritage Oaks Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Los Altos, CA. Interment was at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. Charitable offerings can be made in Laura’s memory to charity of the donor’s choice.

Arrangements were under the direction of Spangler Mortuaries.