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Memorial Keepers(3)
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Laurel Elizabeth Gross
December 19th, 1939 - January 20th, 2021
December 19th, 1939 - January 20th, 2021
"Death is nothing at all. It does not count. I have only slipped away into the next room. Nothing has happened. Everything remains exactly as it was. I am I, and you are you, and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged. Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by the old familiar name. Speak of me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference in your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word it always was. Let it be spoken without effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was. What is this death but a negligible accident? Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well." -Rosamunde Pilcher, September
Laurel was born in San Francisco, Ca, in 1939, to Maxine and Donald French. She grew up in San Bruno with her parents and younger sister Gloria, graduating from Los Gatos Union High School.
Laurel French earned her BA degree in Business at San Jose State University, where she met and married Ronald Gross. After raising four daughters in Saratoga, CA, Ron and Laurel moved to Pleasanton in 1978 where she purchased and main-tained a thriving small business in dollhouse miniatures for many years. They retired to Nevada City in 1995.
She is survived by Ronald Gross, her husband of 58 years, daughters Eleanor Lightfoot, Michele Seeber, Holly Bradshaw and Sarah Heinemann, son-in-law Ed Heinemann, four grandchildren, her sister Gloria French, three generations of cousins, nieces and nephews, and her beloved cat Zeke.
Laurel will be remembered for her vibrant personality, her amazing creativity, and boundless skill at any type of craft or creative endeavor she pursued. Laurel’s sewing skills and fash-ion sense were an integral part of her persona and a beautiful legacy she passed down to her family. Laurel received interna-tional recognition at her ½ scale miniature craft, winning many awards and accolades in her lifetime. Laurel’s optimistic outlook and bold problem solving skills were always an inspiration to others.
Events
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Resting Place
St. Canice Cemetery
39.26683015827125, -121.0237139542581
Tributes
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Maryann Ray Iorns
How special for you girls to have a mom like Laurel. She was very talented and your clothing was beautiful.
Billy Adams
I think this may of been the last Houston thanksgiving. It was in SoSF
Patty Adams Murphy
Another Houston family reunion.
Barbara Thornton-Hill
So many years of memories mostly in miniatures as that is my link to Laurel. I remember the year we worked on displaying the NAME Table for shows perfectly so Laurel's picture will go down in history in that picture with NAME. Then we moved her permanently and Sunday breakfast was a regular event with Ron, Laurel, Debbie, Jeff, John and myself. We met at different restaurants but generally rotated between Nevada City Cafe, Northern Queen and Paulettes. Lots of fun times and then we had New Years parties every year at my house - dinner, games, Happy New Year and then home to bed at 2 minutes after midnight. We older folks could barely make it to midnight.
Patty Adams Murphy
When Laurel's Aunty Gloria was ill and housebound for an extended period of time, Laurel would create beautiful handmade cards and send them weekly. These colorful cards made with love delighted her Aunty Gloria, brightening her day and giving her something to look forward to and proudly display. Such a wonderful act of kindness and love from Laurel!
Patty Adams Murphy
Christmas at the Adams house 1980's
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