Laurena Booker Japenga

1927 - 2015

JAPENGA,Laurena Booker, MD

Laurena Booker Japenga, MD, died on March 1, 2015, in Indian Wells, Calif., following a brief illness. Born November 6, 1927, in Greensboro, North Carolina, to William and Nina Booker, she attended the University of North Carolina and earned her MD at Duke University in 1951.

A pioneering woman in medicine, she was one of only five women in her graduating class. She completed her pediatrics residency at the University of Chicago and Mt. Zion Hospital in San Francisco--meeting her husband Jack Wallace Japenga, MD, while she was supervising his residency at the University of Chicago. They married in 1952, and Laurena worked as a pediatrician in Glendora, Covina and San Dimas. She served as Chief of Staff at San Dimas Community Hospital and was on staff at Foothill Presbyterian Hospital, Inter-Community Hospital and Queen of the Valley Hospital. She is predeceased by her husband, Jack. Survivors include her children, Bill Japenga (Liz Barrett) of Portland, Ore., Ann Japenga (Christy Porter) of Palm Springs, Calif., Chuck Japenga (Geri Japenga) of San Dimas, Calif., and Dee Dee Japenga Canzoneri (Ron Canzoneri) of San Dimas, Calif. She is also survived by grandchildren Jacob, Penelope and Joseph Johnston; two great-grandchildren; her brother, William Norman Booker, niece Suzanne Booker Canfield (John Canfield) and nephew Ray Booker (Dr. Tammy Booker) and cousins, neighbors and friends.

Laurena was known for her mechanical aptitude (fixing garbage disposals on holidays was a specialty) and her love of sports cars. While still practicing, she drove her 1950 MG TD on house calls. Since retiring to Indian Wells she became a fan of new technology, and was mastering the latest model iPad in recent weeks. Always smiling, Laurena was up for adventure, from dining in La Quinta to visiting the family in Oregon. She was unusually patient, tolerant and curious.

For details on a service planned for late March, please contact a family member.