Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

JEAN RAY LAURY

About

Washington Union High School

JEAN LAURY Obituary

I Write This For My Many Friends Don't mourn for me. I have had a long and happy life, a wonderful family, and an exciting and satisfying career. My family includes Frank, my husband for most of over 60 years, who has always been incredibly supportive, helpful, and fun to live with. Our son Tom is a voracious reader, and for more than forty years a beekeeper. Tom's wife, Dr. Ritva Laury is a linguist who divides her time between Fresno and the University of Helsinki, Finland. Our daughter Lizabeth Laury works with horses and writes. Mike Brown teaches chemistry and physics at Washington Union High School. Ritva and Mike are very special additions to our family. Our granddaughter Anna Laury, M.D. completed her final boards in 2010 and pursues her career in Boston. Her sister, Emma Laury, J.D. graduated in May 2010 from law school, passed the California Bar and now works at OSHA in Washington, D.C. Among my most cherished friends of many years are partner and co-author on several books, Joyce Aiken; the talented and remarkable Stan Bitters, a diamond covered in clay dust; and Ruth Law, Los Angeles toymaker, and friend for over sixty years. It's been wonderful working with fellow artists and writers. My Book Club, which has met for over forty years, has been special, and I've enjoyed our discussion group, Dry Creek Seminar, and my writing groups. I have always loved writing, and have had numerous books published, and many articles, parodies and essays. It has been a constant in my life. I recently completed a collection of stories, titled "Growing up in Doon, the 1930's: A Quilter's Memoir" about life in Iowa with my sisters, Jackie, Joan and Joyce. My quilting career gave me the opportunity to travel the world: Japan, Australia, Canada, Norway, France, England, South Africa and many other countries. Quilting friends from across the United States have been an important part of my life, having always been enthusiatic and supportive in whatever I did. I was never far from home when I was with quilters. As wonderful as teaching and traveling were, getting back to Fresno felt like coming home. It has been wonderful being here with you. To all of you, thanks for being with me on this journey. Remembrances may be made to Hinds Hospice; Marjaree Mason Center; or at [email protected] NEPTUNE SOCIETY Of Central California 1154 W. Shaw, Fresno (559) 222-7764

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Fresno Bee from Mar. 5 to Mar. 6, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for JEAN LAURY

22 Entries

Bettina Havig

February 27, 2023

I think of Jean very often. She was a gracious lady who always considered what the person to whom was speaking would need to hear. She was a supportive teacher, I watched her and learned.
I appreciated her friendship which lasted from the mid-eighties until her death.

Eileen Alber

October 9, 2011

I met Jean Ray Laury at a class taught by C&T Publishing authors to quilting class instructors and quilt shop owners. I invited her to teach at my shop, The Quilters' Studio, 10 years ago. Her generosity was astounding. She is one of the people who started the Art Quilt movement and and we all will miss her.

Jean Ritchie

August 21, 2011

Jean's guidance, creativity, inspiration, and incredible sense of humor at workshops and quilt camps changed my life. The encouragement that she gave me greatly helped me to realize that it was perfectly acceptable to allow myself to be creative, as well as to acknowledge my creativity. I will forever treasure the incredible opportunities to be around Jean - she was an extraordinary woman. Please accept my sincere condolences to Jean's beloved family.

Joanne Jerrell

July 16, 2011

I never knew when I called to book Jean for a speaking engagement that she would answer the phone. We had a delightful LONG conversation. This was just the beginning of a wonderful friendship. She was encouraging and supportive of my work and my writing. Everytime I saw her she was warm and generous. She even drove down the hill one day when my car stalled to pick me up. I'm shocked and saddened by her passing. I've kept the notes she wrote me and will cherish the memories of this sweet, generous, lovely woman.

Shirley Keller

May 31, 2011

I met Jean at a party of mutual friends in Fresno. Not being a quilter of cloth, I described INK QUILTS, as I named them, the quilting done with ink. She wanted to see them but as hard as we tried, her health got in the way, and we were never able to show and tell. I enjoyed over the years the joy she brought many of my friends at Quilt Camp. Her humor is what I will remember the most, enjoyed at many gallery showings of her work over the years. She made a difference.

Tom Hurley

May 25, 2011

Jean made this earth much better than it was when she came to it. She was among the most generous, fun-loving and talented people I ever knew. Thanks for letting me share a small part of your life.

Timothy Ely

May 23, 2011

I knew Jean through her books first and met her in [finally]2004 while I was teaching bookbinding in Fresno for a week. I got to say to her " I have seen all your movies!'' she laughed and we then had a great correspondence for a while. I was yesterday showing one of her books to a student and today I learned of her passing. I think she is a brilliant one and I count myself fortunate to have met her even so briefly.

Judy Tomer

April 2, 2011

I took stitchery classes from Jean in the late 1960's, when she was teaching through Fresno State extension. She was so generous to her students; a wonderful teacher; a fun person. What I learned from her: you don't need patterns. This was possibly the best thing I have ever learned. Some of the pieces created in her classes are still with me. I loved the simplicity & directness of her designs. She was the best instructor I ever had, no matter what the subject.

Jean Leavenworth

March 31, 2011

Jean was a wonderful inspiration to us when I was growing up. It was always so fun to play at her house and create cool things out of extra felt bits and other objects. I still treasure some of the things she made for me over the years. She was someone who always made the world a little brighter and more beautiful.

Shirley Hewlett

March 26, 2011

I have known Jean and Frank for many years. We went to college at the same time at UNI in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Years later I met them again in Fresno where my husband and I taught for many years. I was so fortunate to take a number of classes from her. She was an excellent teacher and brought out the best in her students. She was always so gracious and interested in what everyone was doing.
We were so privileged to have Jean and Frank attend our 50th anniversary celebration. It is a night we will all remember. She will be greatly missed.

Natalie Leavenworth

March 21, 2011

Jean Ray Laury was a person that I wish I could grow up to be. When we went to visit her there were always so many wonderful and beautiful things she had created and her home was just so amazing. She and Frank were so fun and so great. I have some of her books that I treasure and I will always treasure the memories that I have of her and her wonderful family. Tom and Liz will always be part of my best times.

Dian Law

March 13, 2011

Jean was my guiding light as an artist. Simple, funny, skillful, grateful and generous. Dismissive about her own great talent, but never foolish. Ten wonderful summers at Quit Camp are her legacy in my life. I cherish them, as I cherished her.

Carole Grosch

March 12, 2011

Our writer's workshop was so fortunate to have Jean in our midst; it was her nature to encourage and inspire creativity. A joy to read, her stories and poems were written with insight and humor. We were honored to share a few steps on her journey.

Joaan Michaels Paque

March 7, 2011

Our ranks are truly diminishing in the loss of Jean. She was a gentle force
whose influence will live on for generations to come. I consider myself fortunate to have crossed paths with her. May she rest in peace.

Joan Michaels Paque

Carol Zell

March 6, 2011

At "Quilt Camp" in the California Sierras with sewing machines on either side of the table, many ideas and great laughs. Years later I had a volunteer job at a meeting in Rye, NY and managed to find time to have dinner with her then later years again I had a meeting in New York but took the train to Rye and spent a lovely weekend including shopping & her lovely Sunday church service. she will be missed! But I am grateful that I received the information...thanks

Kathryn Moore Stucker

March 6, 2011

I met Jean over 50 years ago and have admired her greatly every day since. She will be so missed by every one who ever knew what a fine lady she was. Her work will live forever.
From a long ago student of Jean and Frank Laury

Kara Klein

March 6, 2011

I never met Jean, but bought one of her books used many years ago, it was the early version of image transfers on fabric...I became an instant fan and started searching out her other books. She has influenced by art by offering me techniques, but even more, my creativity by opening up a door to unconventional thinking. She was obviously a creative whirlwind. She leaves a legacy far beyond those who had the gift of actually knowing her. The entire art community will be diminished by her loss.

Norah McMeeking

March 5, 2011

I don't think I ever met a person I liked more and admired more than Jean Ray Laury. She was a true hero, dressed (almost!) like the lady next door. I'm sure she wouldn't be honored by lots of sad words, but better by acts--of kindness, initiative, generosity, creativity, and hopefulness.

Jan Thomson

March 5, 2011

I am happy for each moment spent over the years with Jean, Joyce and all the dear friends from Quilt Camp. We had so many crazy times - The Hadsell Players, driving & photographing the Jean doll all over Shaver Lake, the making of props for Fridays and many good bottles of wine- and of course Jean's incredible skills as a teacher. She always encouraged each person's personal voice in their work. Jean was and will continue to be an inspiration to me and I cherish her friendship.

March 5, 2011

Frank and family,
I hope but don't know if you will remember me. Along with Jerry Roy and Paul Pilgrim I once visited you and Jean at your home. What a lovely day and lunch. I could easily see how content she was to be there and to sharing her life with you. I first met Jean in 1979 and have always admired and respected her way with people as much as her creative way with quilts. While I rarely got to see her in the past few years each time was memorable. She will be missed by many

Sharona Fischrup

March 5, 2011

Your spirit lives on Jean. You gave me, my family, my friends SO MUCH by your constant looking at the "norm" and saying - well that's one way to do it, here's another!" Your spirit is embedded in our quilts forever...love to you and your family, Sharona

Linda Robertson

March 5, 2011

I am so sorry to learn of Jean's death. She was a special, adorable woman who delighted us with her stories and poems in our Wednesday "Writing for Publication" group. She will be so missed! Love and prayers to all who knew her. And remember to keep her memory alive, for she was a living memory!

Showing 1 - 22 of 22 results