Laura Joanne (Fairbanks) Senter, age 82, passed into the loving arms of her Lord, the evening of July 26, after a long battle with silent aspiration.
She was reunited with her son, Bruce, who passed in 2008, and other believing family and friends who have passed before her. She is survived by her husband, Lorimer; daughter, Crystal; three grandchildren, Bruce Senter, Jr., Andrew Senter and Christopher Murphy.
She is also survived by her youngest brother, Wayne, his wife, Nancy; sister-in-laws Jean Fairbanks and Marjorie Fairbanks; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Born in Haverhill, Massachusettes, on Nov. 8, 1936, she was the only daughter born to Charles Richard Fairbanks and Bertha (Woodworth) Fairbanks. She was one of four children, with two older brothers, Tom and Dave, and her younger brother, Wayne.
Laura went to high school in Haverhill, and went on to the College at Essex Agricultural School, graduating with honors, and named Valedictorian of her class.
She was married in 1956 to the love of her life. They lived in Dover, New Hampshire, until having a home built in Barrington, New Hampshire, in 1971. In 1987 Lorimer (Larry), retired at age 55, and the two decided to move to Moab to live out what would become the best years of their lives. As an accomplished quilter, she enjoyed blessing family and friends with her talents. She frequently made baby quilts to donate to the Arches New Hope Pregnancy Center. While sick last winter, she
finished her last baby quilt for the center. It now resides on a wall in memory of her dedication to this great cause. She loved her Quilt Guild Club and those who attended.
During the 32 years that she attended the Community Church of Moab, she became a Deaconess, preparing communion along with putting together artificial flower arrangements as decorations for the sanctuary. Traveling with her husband to see, hear and photograph trains was one of her favorite things to do. They would hike to a particular spot and camp “trackside” to hear the trains all night and to catch the best lighting for pictures in the morning. Laura even had a couple of her photographs published. Sight-seeing, whether by car, horse, mule or train were most enjoyable with her life long love and companion. The two made one, together they had many adventures and countless tales to tell.
Listening to the bubbling creek just outside the back door of their home, feeding and watching the various birds that would frequent there, and spending time in her flower gardens also brought her much joy, but nothing gave her more pleasure than to be spending time with her neighbors, friends and
family. She was kind, compassionate, nurturing, always putting others before herself. She modeled her life after her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Those who knew her loved her. She is, and will be terribly
missed.
