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Laurie McLellan Obituary

Laurie Anne McLellan

Laurie McLellan, 63, a long time resident of Manhattan Beach, passed away on February 16, 2018 in Los Angeles after a very courageous and private fight with cancer.

Laurie was born on August 19, 1954 in Chicago. She went to school at San Diego State University where she met her husband, Don McLellan, who survives her. They were married on March 11, 1977 in Las Vegas and remained madly in love for 40 years. Laurie is also survived by her loving sons, Donald (Krista), Matthew (Lily), Andrew, and Gregory as well as her granddaughter, Eleanor. She was a dedicated mother and wife, thoroughly involved in her sons' activities as they grew, including marching band at Mira Costa High School, Cub Scouts, and Boy Scouts. All four of her sons are Eagle Scouts.

Laurie spent over 25 years instructing at Grand View Elementary School in Manhattan Beach. She was passionate about her arts and crafts hobbies. She was a nationally known needlepointer and cross stitcher, and she also enjoyed knitting, quilting, sewing, and doll making. Laurie was a prominent member of many local chapters of The Embroiderers' Guild of America and the American Needlepoint Guild. Laurie was known and cherished for her baking and cooking skills.

For information about the celebration of life service and other details please visit www.lauriemclellan.com. Please sign the guestbook at www.dailybreeze.com/obits

Published by Daily Breeze from Feb. 25 to Feb. 28, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
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14 Entries

As you remember your love one, may your treasured memories continue to bring you peace, comfort, and strength to endure.

June 4, 2018

Laurie and I met as 18 yr olds living next door to each other in the dorms at San Diego State. We went on to share an apartment together, in which Laurie attempted to teach me to cook, as she virtually was doing all the cooking for the 4 of us in residence!I will never forget the day Laurie spent a great deal of time making chicken soup, with my only responsibility being to add the rice. By the time Laurie came home, there was no soup, just slushy rice. Being Laur, she just smiled, figured I was hopeless, and ate it. Adaptable and patient...that was Laur.I will miss her.I'm so sorry she suffered, and I celebrate the decades of supreme joy she experienced with Don and the boys, her daughters-in-law, and little Eleanor.

Sally McClelland

March 11, 2018

As a former Grand View teacher, Laurie was supper supportive of teacher and children. She helped with many special projects that the children did including making classroom books for presents for their families. She also helped teachers with special private projects. For me she took a handmade quilt that was a wedding present to my aunt (but had never been used) washed it and placed a rod holder along one edge so that I could hang this family treasure in my home. Laurie was always willing to go above what was required. She will be missed.

Carlyn Busse

March 5, 2018

My mom was good friends with Laurie as they lived across the street from each other when I was a kid. She tells the story of how the three of us kids shared a bassinet with Laurie's four boys... passing it back and forth for each new baby.

Laurie knitted me a blankie which I have cherished since I was a little baby. Now, my son Jack is getting in on the fun! I thought of Laurie just the other day when we took this photo.

So sorry to hear of her passing.

Emily Kuriyama (Underwood)

February 28, 2018

Don & Family: Laurie gave me sooo many great memories, good times, laughs. She was a happy spirit. I know I am not alone when I say that there are SO many of us stitchers who will miss her dearly. I know I will. Be strong; know that she touched sooo many lives. Babs Haire

Barbara Haire

February 28, 2018

I was a friend and colleague of Laurie's. it was a hard day when the staff heard about her passing. We all hope the McLellan family knows how much she will be missed by the children and her fellow staff/friends. She was always making jewlery, sewing, or crafting something. I loved her advice on all crafting topics. It was a favourite conversation for us. She was a beautiful soul and will be missed by me and the GV staff. We will miss her very very much.
Lori Desmond

February 27, 2018

Don and Family,

So sorry for your loss.

Rick Leserman

February 27, 2018

My dear friend, Laurie assisted me in Cub Scouts; she was an active contributor and helper for all three years. Always having a positive attitude to assist young minds and hearts, Laurie was a friend to each one.

She was an inspiration to me and gave me all the attention I needed throughout my struggle to create original wedding quilts for my sons. She never told me what to do, but rather encouraged me to figure out the solution with her supervision. This is the method of super teaching for which she was renown in the computer lab at Grand View Elementary as well as with sharing her expertise in crafts.

Her superb needlework of all kinds are exemplary of her attention to detail and strive for excellence. I shall miss my mentor and dear friend, but she has left me with skills for future projects and warm, happy memories.

Marti Tucker

February 26, 2018

I will always feel blessed to have shared a friendship with Laurie! It was always uplifting to be in her company. She deeply loved her family and was so proud of her sons! We will all miss her so much!
With love and the deepest condolences, Ellie Olivadoti

Ellie Olivadoti

February 25, 2018

My first recollection of Laurie was of a tall slender blonde girl in a herd of little boys. She radiated enthusiasm for the subject at hand - embroidery! That sparkling joy lit a matching passion in all who knew her.

Charlotte Halley

February 25, 2018

There are no words to express my sorrow and shock. Laurie was a dearfriend/fellow stitcher/member of many EGA and ANG seminars/committees/programs for many years. She made the stitching world a richer place with all her contributions to her fellow "addicts". She will be lovingly remembered and very much missed.

Pat Correz

February 25, 2018

Laurie and I first met at an Embroiderers' Guild meeting. She and I traveled to my first EGA seminar together in 1994 in Williamsburg, VA. That was the beginning of many years of being close neighbors and close friends.
Thank you for sharing her with me.

Val Reece

February 25, 2018

I will always remember you my friend. We had some fun times working together at Grand View. My your family find comfort with the passage of time and God speed.

Deborah Snook

February 25, 2018

Laurie's friendship, kindness, generosity, artistry and fun personality has been and will continue to be misses.
Loving hugs to the family she so cherished.

Jerry & Cherri Olson

February 25, 2018

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