Laurie Sue Daubenspeck Depew – Hortense to family friends – passed away early Thanksgiving morning,

November 25th , 2021. Laurie was surrounded by family: her husband Chuck, and children Paul and Hannah. Both are graduates of Bainbridge High School. Laurie’s younger sister, Jani Daubenspeck was a constant presence in the home over the last months.

Laurie graduated from UCLA in Art History and being an artist and supporting arts would become a large

part of her life. After graduation she moved to the Monterey Bay area and worked in and then managed

Palace Art Supply in Santa Cruz, CA. It was there, in 1980, that she met Chuck Depew. The two married

in 1987. After migrating to Seattle, Laurie worked at Cornish College as their human resources director.

It was a dream job and Laurie loved the college, its staff and faculty. She later moved to the City of Seattle where she worked on senior personnel policy issues before her retirement and move to Bainbridge Island in 2004.

Laurie was able to beat breast cancer but could not outlast Multiple Sclerosis (MS). MS wore her down

physically but never mentally or emotionally. With visiting nurses and care providers, Laurie’s common

refrain was “I feel fine”, “don’t need anything”, and “my life is great.” Laurie was a kind person and, always, relentlessly positive, and forward facing. Never looking back with regrets.

Laurie was adamant that we don’t have a funeral but, instead, throw a party for folks to get together,

maybe have a drink, but especially laugh. She did like a good party!!! That will happen later this spring

and hosted by her surviving sister, Jani.

In Laurie’s name, we established a Fund at the Community Foundation Santa Cruz to provide small

catalytic grants to artists and arts groups in Santa Cruz. I met Laurie at an art store and that was her passion. So, if you would like to remember Laurie in some way you might consider this. Details are below.

Hannah is now back in Australia preparing for medical school and Paul is back at business school in Ashland, OR. At home, we have a puppy negotiating with the cat over territorial rights. So, Laurie’s family is doing fine and thanking family and friends for kind thoughts, comments and prayers!!!

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To contribute to the Laurie Depew Arts Fund, you may:

Give through our website: https://www.cfscc.org/Laurie