Laura Lois Hearne was born on July 25, 1922, in Cortez, Colorado. She was born premature, weighing only 3 pounds. The doctor said, ”Don’t get attached.” Her daddy would keep her warm in a shoebox he put in the stove warmer, feeding her with an eyedropper every hour. Too stubborn to die, she proceeded to outlive everyone: her older brothers and sister, cousins and a lifetime of friends.
Lois went to secretarial school in Arizona after high school and that was when she met the love of her life, dashing Joe Hearne. He spotted her beautiful crooked grin and long legs, he crossed the dance floor with eyes only for her, and for her love at first sight.
On the Fourth of July they eloped to New Mexico to find the courthouse was closed, so they dragged the judge out of bed to wed.
Joe joined the Marines and went to war. Lois wrote him letters with perfect penmanship.
After the war, they became pinto bean farmers outside Dolores, Colorado. They had four children: Brad, Dave, Casey and Pat. Joe told her every day, “You are the most beautiful woman in the world.”
Lois worked as the school secretary and raised the children. They built a home on the Dolores River. She loved to garden with perfectly maintained rows of fresh produce and flawless pansies, roses and daffodils.
Lois and Joe set off on road trips with the camper in tow, joining groups of friends on these good-time adventures from Alaska to Mexico.
She walked 3 miles a day every day and helped form the “Dolores Street Walkers” walking club.
She was a loving grandmother and great-grandmother.
She moved to Moab 15 years ago to be near her daughter and she made many new friends at the senior center and Community Church of Moab. She really enjoyed winning at cards in her card club.
Lois had a good life. Ninety-four years full of hard work, love and adventure.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Democratic Party or to elephants – she loved elephants.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.SpanishValleyMortuary.com.
