Laurel Whitman Granquist was born February 3, 1935, in Pennsylvania and grew up in Long Beach, California. She was the middle of three sisters who shared an incredible lifelong bond and many memorable adventures.
Following her 1953 graduation from Woodrow Wilson High School, she attended Long Beach State College, earning a teaching certificate.
When Laurel was in junior high school, she became friends with Nancy Granquist. This friendship lasted many years and then, in college, eventually led to an introduction between Laurel and her future husband, Ron, who fell in love. The couple was married in Long Beach, California, in July of 1958. Their first years were spent in Placerville, California, where their first two children, Oskar and Gunnar, were adopted and joined the family. In 1967, they relocated to Imperial Beach, California, and adopted their daughter Rebekah. Years later, their son, Noah, was born. In 2003, after raising their children, Ron and Laurel returned to the mountains, becoming an integral part of the community of Julian, California.
Although Laurel’s most cherished vocation was being a mom to her four children, she also put her heart and soul into her career. The majority of Laurel’s career was as a dedicated educator, teaching elementary school in the classroom, as well as many years teaching Adaptive Aquatics to students with disabilities, imparting to them the joy of swimming and movement in water. Laurel also found the time to work in Optometry as a Vision Therapist and even went back to school to become a Respiratory Therapist, working at Bay General Hospital.
Laurel’s immense love and depth of character were the glue that held her family together. Her family and friends remember her as a warm-hearted, loving, compassionate, generous person who was always shining her light on others. She was always known for sharing genuine words of love and admiration about people who were meaningful to her.
Laurel had boundless energy and was always actively involved in her passions, which included hiking, swimming, traveling the world (often incorporating volunteer work on her trips), reading, music (piano and cello), Zumba, Tai Chi, Belly-dancing, folk dancing, spending time at the library, crocheting, gardening, and volunteering for numerous causes and organizations. She was a popular presence at all of her activities because she was “all in” for everything she committed to. Her kindness, friendliness, and exuberance for life were infectious. She was devoted to the world in a way that spread love and joy everywhere she went.
In recent years, Ron and Laurel returned to the coast, residing in Coronado, California, where they enjoyed bay walks, library trips, and spending time with family. During the last two years, Laurel received loving, skillful care from many caregivers, nurses, and hospice staff, to whom the family is eternally grateful. On November 11th, Laurel peacefully ended 89 years of a life filled with adoring family and friends.
Laurel is survived by her husband, Ronald O. Granquist; sons, Oskar Granquist (Sazzy), Gunnar Granquist (Liz), and Noah Granquist; daughter, Rebekah Granquist (John); sister, Iris Sugarman; sister-in-law, Nancy Granquist; grandchildren, Kelsey Grey, Morgan Granquist, Emma Jones, and Koah Granquist; and great-grandchildren, Olivia, Ivy, and Juniper Grey. Among Laurel’s other devoted family members who were especially close to her heart are Therese Felcher, Debbie (Jim) Cleveland, and Neil (Leta) Cleveland. Laurel was predeceased by her sister, Ruth (Jack) Cleveland.
Mom (Laurel)…your gentle spirit will forever live on in our hearts!
A Celebration of Life is planned for a later date. Please email efgranquist@gmail.com for information.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Voices for Children, where Laurel served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate.
VOL. 114, NO. 48 – Nov. 27, 2024
