Laura Ann Echols

Laura Ann was born on February 3, 1944 I Palo Alto, CA. She was the fourth of four children born to George and Alice (Corboff) Chico who were Russian immigrants. Her siblings included sisters Mary and Rose, and brother Raymond. The family relocated to Port Orchard on Alaska St and Laura attended schools there at Marcus Whitman Jr. High and SKHS.

She met and married Robert Thelin, a young soldier on February 14, 1960. That Valentine’s Day wedding put new meaning the phrase Sweet 16. Just for trivia sake, the phrase sweet 16 is believed to have originated in the Victorian Age when young debutants would have a ‘coming of age party, formally announcing their entrance to womanhood and that at least their parents were hoping to find her a suitable mate.

The young couple moved into a place on Baby Doll Road while Bob finished his enlistment in Germany and then came home to check out of the Army. Together they had three children, Priscilla was born in 1961, Bill came along in 1964 and finally Rodney arrived in1965. Time and circumstance does change things and Laura and the children moved to Sequim in 1970 where she worked as a nurses aide for many years.

She was very active in the local Eagles Fraternal Organization in Sequim. Of the things she enjoyed doing just for pleasure and relaxation, gardening was of her favorites. She enjoyed growing flowers and plants that she strategically planted as she really liked to keep the yard as pristine as possible. She also had a small vegetable garden going most of the time.

She also liked cooking and crocheting. She loved the holiday gathering times and liked cooking for them. Another favorite was the times she was able to travel to California to see her older sister Mary. She also remained close to her mother.

Perhaps the joy of her life was being a grandmother to Crystal and Alex McAdams, and Stewart, Tony, Lafawn, and Jamie Thelin, and auntie Laura to her nieces and nephews Fred and Leslie, Ron, Cindy, and Ricky Chico; and her great-grandchildren

She went back into the hands of the Lord on November 17th and will be greatly missed by those that knew and loved her.