Laura Jeanne Matthew Dean
May 23, 1958 - July 6, 2018
Obituary
Laura Jeanne Matthew Dean
Laura Jeanne Matthew Dean, age 60, after a 34-year battle with Parkinson’s disease, passed away on Friday, July 6, 2018 in Puyallup, WA. She was born on May 23rd in Seattle, WA to Charles and Doreen (Davison) Matthew and was the second of three children. Laura was a passionate and creative person. She was a long-time musician, pianist, composer, artist, and animal lover. She loved nature, the outdoors, taking pictures, travelling, and living life to its fullest.
Laura is survived by her daughters Melissa (Sinnett) Chalmers, Jasmine (Sinnett) Corona, Cameo (Sinnett) Johnson, her grandchildren Chloe Sinnett, Jadyn Sinnett, Charlie Johnson, brother James Matthew, and sister Carrie (Matthew) Pratt.
Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 21, 2018 at 2:00pm at Westside Foursquare Church at 11452 26th Ave SW, Burien, WA, with the Pastor Dan Johnson officiating.
My dear friend. Ride in the wind sweetheart.
My deepest sympathy to the family of Laura. She was such a talented, unique, caring and strong woman. At age 36, I was first diagnosed with PD in 1996. “Harley” soon became one of my heroes on the online Parkinson’s discussion site we both belonged to. Over the years since then, she became a friend who I loved even though we never actually met. I will never forget Harley and her spirited fight for her health. She didn’t quietly and calmly accept her fate, but instead was outspoken in many arenas in an effort to get help for herself and others. I have her published journal “Laura from Within” and loved her poem “Can I Borrow Your Legs?” Her sign off on the PD website was always an inspiration to me. Well Harley, you may have had Parkinson’s, but Parkinson’s never did have you. May peace be with you, dear friend.
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for your family.
To Laura,The love of my life!!…On Oct, 23 2008, the day I met you at SeaTac Airport, and went to Spud’s at for fish and chips in Alki Beach Washington, I had felt I had found an Angel who I fallen hopelessly in love with..I had traveled 3,000 miles to meet you..The things we did, and the life we lived was far from perfect, but there were moments that were profound, remarkable, special and without words..God had a plan..While you were asking no one in particular, if you could “Borrow our Legs”..God was building some brand new legs, for you, for this very special day..In the flesh you were a free spirit that was force to be reckoned with..In the spiritual life, you will spread your wings and fly with perfect ease, without the limitations of the stiff muscles and aching joints you had oce known..You will fly through a place that is vast and without speed limits and without bounderies with the caressing Heavenly wind upon your back..You are free now..Your pain and your broken hips are gone..May God Bless You. Love You, and keep you, untill we meet again..I love you forever Laura!!
RIP Dear Laura
Please accept my condolences. I met Laura a couple of times and she was a wonderful PD advocate and inspiring person to know! a great spirit!
I met Laura (Harley) in a yahoo chat room for those with Parkinson’s and had a chance to meet her in person. She was a caring and compassionate person and I feel lucky to have met her.
She is my brother’s ex-wife, and she was my sister-in-law in the Seventies. We were not very close as friends but we kept in touch when it came to the family relations, mostly we knew each other through my mother who was good friends with Doreen, Loura’s mother. Laura always tried to be friendly with everyone most of the time and tried to be a good friend to all.
I only knew Laura from a Parkinson’s group on Facebook. She was a very lovely lady who always had a kind word.
I am praying for you pretty lady….fly high and free from the disease that you coped with most of your adult life.
May our Lord bless and keep you safe xxx
To live on in the hearts of others means you can never die.
RIP
Much love from a friend you never met xxx
Susanna
As a sister in law, Laura and I became close friends. We had complete different personalities, but got along well and very fond of each other. We both struggled health issues at the same time. After she moved, we lost contact. But I still have her book, “Laura within ” and cds of her singing. I treasure them. Yes, she is missed. My heart goes out to the family for their loss.
I am very sorry for your family’s loss. Please know there is comfort by means of the scriptures at Isaiah 41:10. I hope these words will help you all in the hours and days to come.