Obituary: Laurel Emily Bouton Sammons

Laurie attended Emerson Grammar School, Morton High School and Morton Junior College, graduating with honors. She was an inspector of crystals for military radios as her contribution to the war effort in WWII. She moved to Tucson, AZ. in 1942 to attend the University of Arizona, where she graduated in 1945. She met and married Daniel Joseph Sammons in August of 1945 after a six-week whirlwind courtship followed by their first fight on the way to Nogales for their honeymoon. Their first home was a Quonset hut in Polo Village at the University of Arizona married student housing where they made many life-long friends. Her first job was working for the University and the Board of Regents while Dan attended law school, after she convinced him not to play baseball for the Phillies. Laurie worked as a substitute teacher for the Tucson Unified School District. Son, Randall was born in 1951, followed by daughter, Brooke in 1953 and daughter, Dana in 1961. Laurie made sure all her children learned to swim and play the violin. She was a Den Mother, Brownie and Girl Scout leader and was an active member of the PTA.

In her spare time, Laurie always enjoyed a party.

During these active years, she was the president of the Pima County Bar Auxiliary, the President of the Tucson Council of Garden Clubs, and the President and cofounder of the Menopause Anonymous Club. She was also an accomplished bridge player. Laurie and Dan hosted many foreign exchange students and travelers through the American Field Service and Servas ("Peace Through Understanding"). Mom didn't care for housework, hated to iron, but liked to hang up clothes on the clothesline. She never learned to vacuum, but was excellent in the kitchen where she was happiest after the invention of the dishwasher. Laurie escaped housework when she decided to attend law school with Randy and Brooke. They (and son-in-law David) all graduated in 1978 from the University of Arizona College of Law. Mom enjoyed her law school days, playing Wonder Woman in the Law School Follies and writing "book" in her Corporations class. Dana followed the herd and graduated from law school in 1985.

Laurie practiced law with her husband Dan, and was a founding member of the Arizona Women Lawyer's Association. She was appointed by the Governor to the Arizona Foster Care Review Board and the Physical Therapy Board. At the age of 60 she was appointed to the Pima County Superior Court Bench as a Commissioner. She faced mandatory retirement at the age of 70; otherwise she would still be there.

Mom and Dad loved to travel and they saw the world: Germany, France, England, Italy, Austria, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Israel, Greece, Turkey, Malta, Cypress, Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar, Tangier, Canada, Peru, and Egypt, just before the Arab Spring. In 2011, she made her last overseas trip to with her family to Killarney, Ireland and London, England for Christmas and New Year.

She was a lifelong Democrat and a precinct committee woman for many years.

She and Dan moved to Carson City, Nevada in 2007 where she tolerated the snow and made many wonderful friends. She came to enjoy the Nevada Day Parade, the Balloon Races, the Camel Races, the Outhouse Races, the Basque Festival, and the Candy Dance. Having lived life to the fullest nand we really mean it- she happily donated her body to the University of Nevada School of Medicine. She was preceded in death by her father, Archibald Bouton; mother, Dorothy; brother, Howard; husband Dan and beloved dog Pachi. Living on are son, Randall and his wife, Karen Thompson of Atlanta, Georgia; her daughter, Brooke, with husband David, and her daughter Dana with husband Lindsay, all of Carson City; grandchildren Danny and Tyler Nielsen, Erin and Kelly Sammons, and Mateo Bilyeu; her lifelong friend and sister-in-law Lucille Bouton; and nephews and nieces, Kenneth, Lindsey, Christopher, and Tracey Bouton, and Judy Duffy.

Many thanks to Sheri, Shelly, and Cookie for making Mom an honorary member of their families. We also want to acknowledge Laurieis dearest friends (hoping we are not leaving anyone out) Betty Lewis, Eleanor terHorst, and Mary Norman.

A party in her honor will be scheduled later. Laurie loved the Carson City Library. Please make gifts or donations to the library. 900 North Roop Street, Carson City, Nevada 89701. Tel. (775) 887-2244