Laurie Beth Richardson

1961 - 2023

Laurie Beth Richardson
March 2, 1961 - December 5, 2023
Bay Area Local, Laurie Beth Richardson, 62, of San Ramon, CA, died unexpectedly on December 5, 2023, at a great loss to her family.

Laurie was born on March 2, 1961, to Bob and Barbara Richardson in Oakland, CA. She grew up in Santa Rosa, CA, where she attended and graduated from Montgomery High School in 1979. She went on to study Psychology at UC Davis and San Francisco State University, ultimately graduating with her degree in 1986.

Laurie started her career with Heals Health Plan in 1988, then Aetna Health Care in 1990, and remained with the company for thirty-three years, after it became CVS. She worked as a Senior Benefit Consultant developing healthcare coverage for employer group policies.

She was married to Tony Ertassi from 1986 - 2000, and the mother of two girls, Rachel Ertassi (28) and Renee Ertassi (25). Laurie was active with her daughters. She loved spending time with them, supporting their careers and encouraging their adventures.

Laurie was diagnosed with type one diabetes in 1964, at three years old. She lived with type one diabetes for 59 years and took meticulous care of her disease by embracing the continually changing and available technologies to balance her blood sugars. She was an active member in JDRF, an organization involved with the research for a cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

Laurie loved perusing local art and craft fairs, finding treasures and the perfect gift for her friends. She explored the beauty of Northern California, as well as the rest of the world, spending as much time as possible up in Truckee, along Donner Lake. She was an avid pet lover, with her dog Anna, cats Domino and Toby, chinchilla Lary, as well as chickens and ducks for a short period of time.

Laurie was predeceased by her father, Robert Richardson in 2022. She is survived by her two daughters, Rachel Ertassi and Renee Ertassi; her two sisters, Kim Hogan and Debbie Kaufman; and her beloved mother, Barbara Richardson.

Services will be held at The Bridges Golf Club in San Ramon, CA on Sunday, February 25, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the JDRF at www.jdrf.org.