Laura Irene Ciapponi
January 18, 1975 - April 1, 2016
Emeryville, CA
Laura was born in Walnut Creek, California and raised in Moraga. She graduated from Campolindo High School in 1993 and attended UC Davis for two years before transferring to California College of the Arts in Oakland where she earned a BFA specializing in photography. She subsequently traveled the world as a professional photographer and had many stock photographs accepted by Getty Images. She was also an accomplished painter.
As a therapeutic nutritional chef who studied at the Ballymaloe Cooking School in Ireland and a graduate of Bauman College Natural Chef program in Berkeley, California, she was passionate about healing her clients, family and friends with delicious organic nutrient dense foods. She was a supporter of the Weston A. Price Foundation and a member of the Emeryville Community Organic Garden.
Laura was also a yoga instructor, who continually explored new healing modalities including meditation, biofeedback, essential oils, herbal medicine, hair mineral analysis, and energetic therapies such as Body Talk and Reconnective Healing.
Laura is survived by her loving parents, Louis and Antoinette Ciapponi; siblings, David Ciapponi (Krista) and Lisa Stafford (Dave), nieces and nephews Mia, Gian and Cariana Ciapponi and Craig, Evan and Ryan Stafford, devoted fiancé Joe, and many extended family and friends.
Family and friends are invited to a Memorial on Saturday, May 7, 2016 at 12:00, lunch to follow. Wildwood Acres Resort, 1055 Hunsaker Canyon Road, Lafayette.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Good Shepherd Grace Center, 1310 Bacon, San Francisco, CA 94131 or a charity of your choice.

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Published by Contra Costa Times on Apr. 24, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Laura Ciapponi

Sponsored by East Bay Times.

8 Entries

Sanaz E.

January 18, 2021

On what would have been Laura's 46th birthday, which is notably on MLK Day, this is a very special and interesting time we are in, and I know Laura and I would have had much to talk about. Curious and peace seeking as she was, she also understood the underpinnings of how the world operates, and also that there's a whole universe to be explored. We had many a conversations Laura and I, about food, health, music, life, love -- and we enjoyed sharing our ideas and research. She continues to inspire me to this day, on finding joy in solitude, and to continue dedicating life to its craft that is to grow and to explore. She was a light in this world and cared a great deal about many. May her memory always be a blessing.

Simon Thorball

January 18, 2019

On what would have been Laura's 44th birthday, I remember her from the time when she was in Ireland.
I keep a photo of the wonderful woman, framed, and displayed in my house, which is now in Sweden.

The Salty Pacific Ocean Rocks: Leica IIIf w/ 50mm. 1/500 sec f11

Tito Young

September 18, 2016

Laura,

You are remembered; your friendly personification, your grace and your window to all sides of the world. You have taught me that any endpoint is really message that all of us take the time to make as much of our lives as possible. I see this now.

The photo: I know how much you loved photography, and the ocean even more. This rock assembly can be found in Santa Barbara, California, one of my favorite beaches. I won't know if you have been there.

Hank Obermayer

July 20, 2016

I'm so so sorry to hear this. I lived near both Laura and my cousin, her boyfriend, Paul Supkoff, and shared friends with them. We saw each other regularly during that time, and deeply bonded when Paul died suddenly. I hadn't been in touch with Laura for a few years, but yesterday I received a video tribute to Paul and wanted to make sure she received it as well, and in looking her up found out she passed away. When I think of Laura I think of her laugh, her passion for helping folks live healthy lives and the sweet mischief that was in her eyes.

I wish you strength and peace.

With love,
Hank

Jeanne Walpole

April 26, 2016

To the family of Laura Ciapponi,

Laura was my student at the Jazzschool in
Berkeley about two years ago and subsequently studied piano/jazz harmony privately with me at my home. I have missed seeing her blog posts, and unfortunately now I know why. I am stunned and saddened to learn of her death. She was such a beautiful and kind person, it is unimaginable that she is no
longer here. I hope that her beautiful spirit lives on somewhere in the universe.

You have my deepest condolences.

Jeanne Walpole

April 26, 2016

Dear Lou and Antoinette, our love and prayers to you and family and Joe. We did not know Laura, what a accomplished, remarkable woman!

The O'Leary's

Peter

April 22, 2016

Last week I was so shocked and saddened to learn of Laura's passing. We only met once at Aly's Spirit Dance here in Rockland County, NY, She shared some of her healing essential oils with me that day in 2014. We talked, laughed, and parted ways. She was heading back to California.

Laura was a beautiful young lady with a truly lovely soul. Her focus was on helping people. Her business, "Nourishing the Whole," was obviously a direct reflection of the beautiful person she was. I barely knew her, but when Aly told me about her passing, it hit me hard...

I am very sad right now and send massive doses of love and support to her family, fiancé, and friends.

Hug those that are close to you. Let them know how you feel. You really never know how your positive and loving words can impact people...and you also never know if you're seeing someone for the last time.

Rest now Laura ❤

Greg/Barbara Ciapponi

April 21, 2016

Dear Cousins,
We send you our love and prayers. We have no words that can ease the sorrow of parents mourning their beautiful child. In viewing the photographs that Laura created we see a hint of her beauty, intelligence, creativity, grace, and her unique spirit. We mourn her passing. This is a loss that weights heavy on so many hearts.

from the Napa branch of the family

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