This Page in Loving Memory of
Laurinda Calvert
Coronado High School Class of 1981
1963-2000
August 4, 2002
Although I did not know Laurie outside of the few
classes we shared it's not possible for me to recall events at
Coronado without her image popping into memory. She was
definitely someone who, with her infectious smile and seemingly
endless energy, truly lit up a room when she entered it.
My condolences to her family.
Mike
Groth
Class of 1981
January 12, 2002
Dan, my heart goes out to you and your family.
I just learned of Lauri's passing today, and wanted to remind you of
our wonderful times together at LaBelle's working part time during
our high school years. Her smile brightened many a day for me,
and I can only hope that your children can learn, through these
testimonials, what a wonderful person she was, even before they came
into the world. She has touched so many lives.
Dave
Ryder
Class of 1980
November 23, 2001
One of life's many truths with which we must all
cope is taking the good with the bad. Tonight, as I first entered
this site, I found great warmth in recognizing many names and
revisiting the faces from my now distant past. Seeing that one of
those friends (who had touched my life for the better) has passed on
brings me much sorrow. I remember the games at which she cheered,
and I, too was there at the class of which Paul mentions, and
enjoyed many such moments of vitality and vivaciousness - Lauri's
trademark characteristics in my memory. I also remember times spent
sharing and caring with Lauri...her spirit and loving nature I am
sure are exemplified in her children. My sympathies, thoughts and
prayers go to her husband and children. May God bless and keep alive
Lauri's legacy in her family.
Rick
Dickinson
Class of 1980
March 28, 2001
Lauri was my best friend in high school. It was a friendship that was
so dear to me and one that I have never had with anyone else since then.
After graduation, we went to U of A together to battle the college experience
with each other's support. That was fun even though we gained at least 20
pounds each in one semester! A few years later Lauri married the love of
her life (Dan Spina). I was honored to be the maid of honor in the most
beautiful wedding I've ever been to. After the wedding we kept in touch
but mostly through letters which I deeply regret. I didn't see her as much
as I should have and now I can't change that. After Lauri and Dan moved to
Canada, we kept in touch through letters and mainly e-mail. Very shortly
before she passed away we made a lunch date for the week she was supposed to be
in Arizona for Spring Break. Then I got that dreadful call telling me that
she was gone.
It's now been a little over a year since Lauri left us and still not a day
goes by that I don't think of her warm smile and that contagious laugh she had.
Dan is a lucky man to have had such a special person so close to him and my
prayers are with him and his family. I consider it an honor and a
privilege to have had Lauri as a friend in my life. She holds a special
part of my heart and she will never be forgotten.
Darla
McCommas
Class of 1981
March 20, 2001
I lived with my mom for about 11 years. I
always remember her happiness and her encouragement. I will always
remember her and the happiest person I met. Mom, I LOVE you
and miss you TONS!!!
Love,
Elyse Spina
March 17, 2001
I happen to know Lauri in a very special way. She
was my High School sweetheart, my girlfriend for 4 years after High
School, my wife for 15 years and the mother of my 3 children, Elyse (12),
Caitlyn (8) and Natalie (4). My memories are deep about this very
special person. There is no doubt that Lauri's most wonderful
impression on me when I met her was the SMILE, LAUGHTER, and WARMNESS she
gave with every moment spent with her. Lauri always had a giving
heart, a helping hand to a friend and a love for God that grew deeper each
and everyday over the 20 years we spent together. She is deeply
missed everyday. Thank you to all who have written a memory on
Lauri's behalf. She has spoken of each of you often over the years.
Dan Spina
Class of 1981
November 18, 2000
I was shocked to hear of Laurie's passing. In grade school she
was quiet and the nicest person. In high school she seemed to
blossom and I was proud of her.
Dan, may God be with you and your family.
Lorrie
Rollins (Morgan)
Class of 1981
September 18, 2000
My heart was broken when I heard this. Although I did not
intentionally keep up with Laurie & Dan, our paths seemed to
cross every couple years. The memorial service was a wonderful
testimony to Laurie. There were 100's of people there, some
even flew in from Canada, (where they were living at the
time). There were endless testimonies of how Laurie had loved
people with Christ' love.
Dan, I think of you often as you raise your 3 wonderful
children. May our Lord give you patience, strength and a lot
of help. I admire you for speaking at the service... wow!!!!!
Jeff Thibault
Class of 1981
June 28, 2000
The one memory that I have of
Laurie is her smile! I will always remember that gorgeous
smile that was contagious! You couldn't help but smile
yourself and be happy when you were around Laurie. Sadly, I
have not seen her since graduation. My heart goes out to Dan
and Dan and Laurie's children.
Mary
Zetuche (Jones)
Class of 1981
May 19, 2000
I have great memories of Laurie
from grade school.
Kevin
Thompson
Class of 1981
May 1, 2000
I was shocked and saddened to see
Laurie's name in the In Memoriam today. Although I have not
spoken to or seen Laurie since graduation, I remember her as the
bubbliest, happiest person on campus. Her laugh was infectious
and I am sure she was the same after high school. I remember
our junior year, I was the mascot, jumping around in an oversized
head of the Don and Laurie was on the cheer leading squad. We
goofed around a lot during those games. I wished we had an
opportunity to talk again. Rest in peace Laurie.
Robert
Farthing
Class of 1981
April 19, 2000
Lauri was a year ahead of me in school
and she was very encouraging to me to do
the impossible. I was a Sophomore
that wanted to be a Donette (Remember the
Donettes?). I wanted it more than
anything but was a little intimidated by
the beautiful and talented competition.
Lauri was a cheerleader that just happened
to stop in to the Donette Clinic one
morning (very early, 7am!! Maybe
this is why I am not a morning person
now!) Anyway, Donette Clinic is
where the current Donette Line taught the
"wannabe's" before tryouts and
helped us prepare. Lauri came over to
me after the clinic that morning and said
some kind and encouraging words that I
will never forget. She gave me the confidence
that I needed to tryout the following
week. She was the first one along
with my Donette buddy, Marie Gorman, to
congratulate me when I made the cut.
She was a good friend and supporter and a
lot of fun to be around. She made
everyone feel like they were the most
important person at the moment that she
was talking to you. She certainly
made me dig deeper and believe in myself!
Marylou
Karam (Stephens)
Class of 1982
April 14, 2000
In the spring of my sophomore year (1980), I
was the student assistant in Mr. Newcomer's advanced acting class
(to be honest, student assistant was the easiest credit to ever be
had . . . and especially enjoyable if you got to do it for the
BBG). While not an official class member, I had the
opportunity to watch and learn a lot of things from some very
talented people. I also had a lot of friends in this class --
the one I'll never forget is Laurinda Calvert.
Lauri became a fast friend and may have been
the best encourager I have ever known. She always let me know
that I could accomplish anything. Her constant support and
love at a tough adolescent time for me was priceless; our friendship
was special. She was like a sister to me. At any rate,
Newcomer had the class go outside to participate in some sensory
exercises to help develop acting skills ("a very important tool
to help convey realism"). As a sophomore in midst of all
these juniors and seniors, I watched with a sense of excitement that
I could learn and was just glad to be there. At one point,
Newcomer looked at me and asked me if I'd like to be next. Of
course, I more than likely cracked a smart-a** joke of some kind,
but with Lauri's encouragement, I went next.
We were just north of the 400 building
(outside just north of the theater) where I was instructed to sit on
top of the water drain as the class gathered to watch.
Newcomer told me that what I had to do was close my eyes and tell
him the first thing that came to my mind when I felt the first
object. I told him I was ready, and wanting to do this right
the first time in front of all those I wanted to impress, I jumped
up on the drain, sat down, closed my eyes and waited for Newcomer to
begin (NOTE: NEVER trust Jim Newcomer if he tells you to close your
eyes and wait!). There were a few seconds -- 5, maybe -- of
quiet and I can't remember if someone spoke or not, but the next
sensation I felt was a pie in the face! I heard uproarious
laughter -- I opened my eyes to see everyone laughing and scrambling
to get out of Lauri's way as she ran pretty dang fast to get away
from the impending doom that was me. I scooped the pie off my
face and shirt and began a chase that ended finally in front of Mr.
Hanson's office when I caught her. Needless to say, after a
brief struggle (she was strong!), she shared the rest of my pie that
day. I will NEVER forget!
Paul
Townsend
Class of 1981
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