LAURA LUCILLE ( Retherford) HANCOCK
Buffalo Reflex, Jan 23, 2007
Nov. 21, 1942-Jan. 22, 2007
Laura Lucille (Retherford) Hancock was born Nov. 21, 1942, in Alton, Ill., the daughter of the late James and Virginia (Kassing) Retherford. She died Jan. 22, 2007, at her home in Urbana, Missouri at the age of 64 years, two months and one day.
She spent her early years in the Alton, IL area and graduated from high school there. (AHS Class of 1960) She was united in marriage with Ervin Hancock on June 10, 1962, in Litchfield, IL. This union was blessed with five children. They made their home in Litchfield, IL., until 1972 when they moved to Strafford. They lived in the Strafford and Springfield area before moving to the Galmey area. They settled in Urbana, Missouri in 1992.
She worked various jobs wherever they lived. She was always active in the life of the community where they resided. She served as council woman on the Urbana City Council and as a dispatcher for the Urbana Rural Fire Department. She was most of all a wife and mother. The care and nurture of her family came first. They thought she was the world's best mom. She was a fun loving person with a ready and sometimes biting reply. Laughing and teasing and being teased was her life. She had a magnetic personality and truly enjoyed people.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Kevin R. Hancock; one sister, Patricia Kopsie; and her best friend, Karen Paul. Survivors include her husband, Ervin, of the home; two sons: Michael D. Hancock and Jason M. Hancock, both of Urbana; three daughters: Tracy D. Hancock, Joplin, and Tricia Steele and Stephanie R. Oliver, both of Urbana; two brothers: David Kassing and James Meisenheimer; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; Karen Paul's family; plus other family and many friends who will all truly miss her.
|
Roger Cooke
I didn't know Laura personally, and only spoke to her once that I remember. That was in ninth grade, when many of her classmates were giving her a rough time. From the obituary, I judge that she was a good family person and a good citizen. Rest in peace, Laura.
Evanthia Nicolou
I went all through Milton School, and East Junior with Laura. I don't remember her at AHS. I remember that she had pretty curly hair. She had a kind of rough upbringing and the teasing from her classmates didn't make her early life any easier. I'm happy to hear that she had a good marriage and children who showed her a great deal of respect and most of all love. Laura,may your memory remain eternal. Rest in Peace Laura.
Cindy Kodros (Garvey)
Tears ran down my face as I just read Laura's obituary. What this poor girl endured on a daily basis was so cruel. I would always smile at her and eventually she would raise her head and smile back. Does the word BULLYING sound familiar? Well from her obit it looks like she proved to the world who she was to be. The love of her husband and family had to be the most precious gift she ever received. Her best friend was the second gift for Laura. She will always be remembered by me with the shy sheepish smile she would give me but she knew I liked her. She made me feel good and probably didn't realize how that made me feel happy. Cindy Kodros Garvey
Carole Fairless (Pollett)
I met Laura through hunting friends of my grandpa. During the summer Laura would visit us with her dad and we became friends throught Milton School and East Jr years.She was a fun and caring young lady. During our years at Alton senior high we became distant friends while moving in different circles. I have often thought of Laura when I would drive down her street but never knew what happened to her, until now. It is sad to know our school chims of years gone by are being demised without knowing about them. I feel sad but them a lot of my friends have fone and I am still around. I do miss them all for we were all friends in thet enormous high school. R I P Laura you were loved on this earth.
Pam Flory (Carroll)
I met Laura at East Junior, I too felt that her family was nothing like I had.
I too, was pleased to read the obit and thought things changed for her.
May she rest in peace!
Pam Flory Carroll
Sylvia Schriner (Rothe)
i am about 15 years late in posting this, but i just happened to run across her name in the list of classmates and looked at her profile because i wondered what her life had turned out like. i remember how much she was bullied in high school....one example was when some of the boys voted for her for prom queen....because they thought it would be funny if she was nominated. i felt so sorry for that poor girl back then. i wish now that i had been kinder to her .....but i guess as we get older we realize the mistakes we made in our lifes......i am happy that she married and had a family that loved her....i only wish i could go back to that day and befriend her, unfortunately, back then i was way too shy and could not stand up for anyone......funny how we "live and learn." wouldnt our high school days have been different then if we knew what we know now.
Roger Cooke
That's a beautiful way of putting it, Sylvia. I too wish I had stood up for Laura instead of just accepting the version of her that some of my friends were circulating. I didn't know her, but even so, I should have challenged what they were saying.
Marilyn Hope Waide (Lake)
I believe I was cordial with Laura Retherford, though I didn't know her well. Also, I wasn't aware of all the bullying; but I wasn't around the boys that much, except in classes and theater. So, I'm super glad she had a good family life of her own and that we all do "live and learn."