Laura Elizabeth Fallon

1972 - 2025

Laura Elizabeth Fallon
March 23, 1972 - April 30, 2025

On the morning of April 30, 2025, after a 29-month struggle with cancer, Laura Fallon passed away surrounded by family in Kachina Village, Flagstaff, AZ.

Laura's passing has left family and friends heartbroken, but grateful for the richness she brought to their lives. One friend said she was like a cat (even though she was a total dog person) - because she lived nine full, fearless lives. She gave herself fully to every chapter, through her careers as a Grand Canyon river guide, actor, yoga instructor, and counselor.

Laura leaves an inspiring legacy of friendship, love, strength, courage, mentorship, and a rare wild spirit that outshined a discouraging illness. Even in the final stages of her illness, Laura's spirit remained undimmed, continuing to make travel plans to New Orleans, Grand Canyon, Mount Washington, and elsewhere.

Laura was born in Lowell, MA. Her early years were spent in England, but she graduated from Andover High School in Andover, MA in 1989. In 1993, Laura graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a degree in Psychology. For the next twelve years, New York City was her home, and she dedicated herself to studying theater and stage management.

Laura's adventurous spirit led her to the Grand Canyon, where she began guiding river trips with Arizona Raft Adventures (AzRA) in 2000. She completed 160 journeys through the canyon. Over twenty-two years Laura nurtured a vast and cherished network of friends and colleagues, held together across decades by their shared adventures on the Colorado River.

Laura's profound experiences in the Canyon inspired a passion to support others in navigating life's challenges (and fostering a connection with the natural world), and she earned a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from Prescott College in 2021. In recent years, Laura served as a counselor for Beyond the Pines in Flagstaff and taught trauma-informed care to wilderness first responders.

Laura deserved many more years of curiosity, mentorship, and adventure, but in December 2022, she was diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer known as plasma cell leukemia (PCL). Through her courageous journey, Laura's strength was inspiring and unwavering. With characteristic dedication, Laura embraced her treatment regimens in Boston, Tucson, Phoenix, and Flagstaff, supported by her network of caring friends. In November 2024, she participated in Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma in Guatemala.

Laura leaves behind countless cherished friends and colleagues. She is survived by her best friend, Tavi Stutz; her parents, Betty Mobbs and Tom Jones of Londonderry, NH (formerly of Andover, MA); and her siblings, Penelope Jones of Salem, NH, McKenzie Jones (and Jake Tiegs) of Flagstaff, AZ, and Michael Jones (and Liz Willey) of New Salem, MA. She is also survived by four nephews and nieces, Lake, Sam, Everett, and Lewis, who brought her joy and with whom she frequently baked in person and via Zoom. She is survived by her two-year-old pup, Sinyala and predeceased by her faithful canine companion, Lucky. Laura's family will carry her memory forward in every river current, with every breath, and in every bold step. Her courage and passion remain an enduring guide.

In her final days, Laura found the energy to visit with dozens of dear friends and family members at her Kachina home. A celebration of Laura's life will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, AZ. In lieu of flowers, donations in Laura's memory may be made to the Laura Fallon Memorial Fund, Grand Canyon Youth (https://gcyouth.org/laura-fallon/) or to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (themmrf.org).