Obituary of Laurel Walters

Laurel Walters, age 93, of Silver Spring, Maryland, passed away on May 19, 2022, after a brief illness.

Laurel was born in northern New York state and often shared cherished childhood memories of growing up in a big house across the street from the fairgrounds with her beloved brother Wayne, and of good times with friends on trips to a local lake in the summer and ski slopes in the winter.

In middle school, cheerleader Laurel met the love of her life, basketball player Bob. During their long marriage, they lived in Florida, California, Georgia, and Maryland (first in Rockville where their children Dale and Jan grew up, and later in Silver Spring).

Laurel’s varied careers ranged from Avon Lady to roofer (for a home improvements business she and Bob had together). She was an expert seamstress and an innovative interior designer as anyone who visited the Walters’s super groovy Rockville home will attest. As arts enthusiasts, she and Bob were volunteer ushers for numerous theaters in Atlanta and saw every show that came to town.

Laurel always looked for the positive in everyone, and, through the years, formed many long-lasting friendships with people of all ages. She was elegant, spry well into her 80s, kind, thoughtful, and supportive. Despite any disappointments in her life, she was always extremely grateful for all she had—every pleasure and every act of kindness from others. On her fridge she kept a quote from Annette Funicello: “Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful.”

Laurel is survived by her two children, her dear nieces and nephews and their families, and her three grandsons. She adored her grandsons and was very proud of the compassionate young men they grew up to be.

A private memorial service will be held to celebrate Laurel’s life.