Obituary of Laura R. Alverson

Laura R. Alverson, a lifelong resident of Olympia, passed away peacefully holding her daughter’s hand on Friday, May 10, 2019, after nearly 88 glorious years of love and service to family and friends. The former Laura Pfaff, daughter of Andrew C. Pfaff and Doris E. Whipple, graduated from Olympia High School and went on to spend 32 dedicated years in service to the Washington State Patrol.

Laura was an active member of Beta Sigma Phi International for over 50 years and a proud O.H.S. ‘49er Alum, avidly representing her class at Bear home football games with husband, Ray for many years. She was a loyal Seattle Seahawks and Mariner’s fan, following her teams win or lose. Laura was a league bowler and senior softball player into her later years, sparking her long-time physician to remark that she was “the only 80-year-old whose office visits were for sports injuries!” Her passions included a wide variety of arts and crafts, flower gardening, crocheting, and sewing. But, without question, Laura’s greatest joy came from time spent with family. She especially loved her regular trips to California, which always included such adventures as Disneyland, Sea World, Monterey Bay, Pismo or Avila Beach, backyard barbecues, out-of-season fireworks, carpet picnics, birthday parties, an array of school sporting, music and academic events, or endless games played in the backyard pool with grandsons, Nate and Mitch. She was young at heart – always!

Laura is survived by her daughter, Deena (Don) Diboll of Clovis, Calif.; stepdaughter, Tammi (Mike) Dayley of Blackfoot, Idaho; daughters-in-law, Julie Alverson Mottishaw of Pocatello, Idaho, and Carmen Alverson Diaz of Sandy, Utah; brother, Jerry (Loa) Pfaff of San Diego, Calif.; sister, Sandee (Rich) Purvis of Spokane Valley, Wash.; sister-in-law, Ann Pfaff of Tumwater, Wash.; brother-in-law, Bill (Nita) Alverson of Grand Rapids, Mich.; nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and dozens of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 31 years, Raymond Alverson; daughter, Cathy Heye (from her first marriage to Edward Heye); sister, Helen Hamann; brothers, George Pfaff and Jim Gleizes; and stepsons, Dave, Jeff and Rick Alverson.

Special thanks to long-time primary physician, Sarah Lux M.D., and pulmonary specialist, Richard Redman M.D., for amazing medical care during a prolonged battle with ILD; Tiffany and Paul of Providence SoundHomeCare & Hospice; niece, Lee Ann Mills, for her amazing and selfless love and dedication to her Aunt Laura; caregivers, Angelina and Martha; and her compassionate and dear friend at the end, Zita.

A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, May 30, 2019, 12:00 noon at South Sound Manor, 455 North Street SE, Olympia, WA  93501. Reception to follow.

Preceding the memorial, Laura will be laid to rest next to her daughter, Cathy, at a family graveside service at Calvary Cemetery in Tumwater at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to benefit Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health at Stanford, 400 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 340, Palo Alto, CA 94301.