Lorraine Laird
3/8/1920 - 6/11/2014

Mary Lorraine Lardner Laird was born in Auburn, California. She was the fifth of twelve children born to Amonda Johnson and William Branson Lardner, Jr. As a third generation Californian, Lorraine was proud of her family roots, especially so of her grandfather Bill Lardner who was a teacher, attorney, California State Senator, and one of the founding fathers of the City of Auburn.
Lorraine attended local schools and graduated from Placer High School in 1938. Always a top student, she was active in student government, the Commerce Club, played bass clarinet as well as being the drum majorette in the marching band. She went on to earn her AA degree from Placer Junior College in 1940, where she pursued business and journalism classes, and graduated with honors.
Lorraine had five good-looking sisters that attracted a number of suitors to the house. Many times she joked that, "We didn't need a phone for getting dates, guys would just come to the house hoping that one of us girls would go out with them." One such guy, Dean "Diz" Laird of Loomis, saw Lorraine as "the prettiest girl in town," and the young couple started dating in high school. They married on December 5, 1942, in Reno during Diz's 15-day leave granted after completion of flight training as a Navy fighter pilot.
Being a Navy family, the Lairds relocated their home 20 different times prior to 1958. The task of moving and settling in, getting their three children, Diane, Michael and Andrea, adjusted to leaving old friends and starting new schools became a way of life for Lorraine until being transferred to Coronado 56 years ago.
At age 55, Lorraine was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer and given two and a half months to live. Seven months later the doctors could not believe she was still alive and free of all signs of the disease. Lorraine's will to live was only surpassed by Diz's determination to cure his wife and keep her by his side.
Throughout her long life, Lorraine was accomplished at many things, but most of all she excelled at being a "Navy Wife" and incredible mother. She was a gourmet cook, seamstress, interior decorator, homemaker and excellent bookkeeper. She supported her husband's career and encouraged her children's dreams. She was a loyal and devoted friend. But what Lorraine enjoyed most was her wonderful large family, an opportunity to gamble, and shopping for anything on sale! She was as kind as she was glamorous, and if you had the privilege to be in her company for long, you'd discover her wicked sense of humor.
Lorraine is survived by her husband of 71½ years, Cdr. Dean Laird; two younger sisters, Claire Vanderbilt and Lynette Weeks; her children, Michael Laird (Clare) and Andrea Laird Achelis (Scott); eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
A service and celebration of Lorraine's life will be held on Saturday, August 23 at 1 p.m., at St Luke's Episcopal Church in Auburn.
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Published in Gold Country Media Newspapers on July 20, 2014