Laurel "Laurie" Joyce Raymond

ADRIAN- Laurel “Laurie” Joyce Raymond, age 82, of Adrian, MI passed away late Saturday afternoon, May 4, 2024 at home with her husband, John by her side. Laurie was born on May 2, 1942, in Holland, MI the daughter of Stuart and Harriet (Westerhof) Schaftenaar. Laurie graduated from Holland High School in 1960. She attended the First Reformed Church, in Holland, with her family while growing up. After high school, Laurie attended Hope College in Holland for one semester and then transferred to Chicago, where she graduated from Patricia Stevens Career College. After working in Chicago for two years, Laurie returned to Holland and soon married. Laurie went on to attend Oakland University near Detroit. After moving several times, Laurie settled in Birmingham, Michigan to raise her children, Timothy and Caroline. Laurie met her current husband, John Raymond, while vacationing in Spain in April 1973. Laurie married John on June 28, 1975 and they have treasured almost 49 years together. The family moved to Adrian in 1976 after Laurie’s father-in-law passed away leaving his Ford dealership in Adrian without management. John stepped up to run the family dealership while Laurie was busy overseeing the home front. Laurie’s daughter, Caroline, attended St. Joseph Academy (Montessori Instruction) and went on to graduate from Adrian High School. Her son, Tim, started out at Adrian Public Schools and ended up graduating from Cranbrook Schools, while living with his father. Laurie worked at the first all woman’s advertising agency in Detroit. They did many popular JL Hudson tv ads. In Adrian, Laurie and a good friend started a wallpapering/painting business. After two years of going up and down ladders, they decided to stop and close the business. Laurie’s next working adventure led her to a high fashion women’s shop in Ann Arbor. After several years of commuting, Laurie decided to work closer to home. A friend from Chicago contacted Laurie to manage the sewing activities for her high-end custom women’s operation, which included Oprah Winfrey as a client. Laurie took this dream job and moved to Chicago for six months. On returning to Adrian, Laurie worked at Alisa’s Bridal Shop to learn the technique for complex wedding dress construction. For the next ten years, Laurie worked from home creating and altering complex wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses. Laurie was passionate about sewing her whole life. As a child, she got a kid’s hand crank sewing machine and some directions on how to use it. Within a month, Laurie’ parents were amazed at her sewing skills. From that point on, she made clothing, did alterations and completed many creative sewing projects. Every room in the house reflected Laurie’s style including the curtains, draperies and pillows. Laurie’s successful sewing business was based out of her home, and the business flourished from her word-of-mouth reputation. She always had a back log of customers. One of her greatest thrills was touring the exclusive fashion houses in Paris and London. She had a personal license plate that read “SEAMS”. Laurie had a nurturing personality and loved being around children. She felt a need to get active in the community and became involved with Adrian Community Preschool. Laurie served on the board as president and helped hire a very capable director and bi-lingual teacher. She encouraged her friends to serve on the board and helped solidify the preschool mission successfully in place. Laurie was an exceptionally kind, compassionate, and thoughtful person. She maintained a wonderful, positive attitude toward life and treated everybody with respect. Laurie enjoyed lunch bunch, bunco, carrot group, the gourmet group, and her special tennis group. She was proud of her Dutch heritage. She enjoyed traveling and dancing; and was fondly known as the “dancing queen”. Laurie threw a 50’s party for 125 of her friends. She became a jazz fan, a teapot collector and a boater who loved Lake Michigan. She remembered to take time and be silly, as life was about happiness. After 10 years of struggling with dementia, Laurie is now at peace, a great loss to mankind. She always said she would wear out, not rust out. INDEED. Laurie stayed home with her husband, John, as her caregiver. Special thanks to Touch of Home who gave exceptional personal and respite care the last two years of Laurie’s life. Tammy and Chris, you were our angels. Also special thanks to Hospice of Lenawee for their dedicated care. In addition to her husband, John, Laurie is survived by her children, Timothy Schwarz and Caroline Lawhead; granddaughter, Abigail Lawhead; and three siblings, Larry (Judy) Schaftenaar, Steve (Elizabeth) Schaftenaar and Vicki Venhuizen. A memorial visitation for Laurie will be held on Thursday May 23, 2024 from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at Wagley Funeral Home, Adrian. Laurie’s memorial service will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Linda Farley officiating. Donations can be made to Adrian Community Preschool, Touch of Home or Hospice of Lenawee. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com

Laurel "Laurie" Joyce Raymond

May 2, 1942 - May 4, 2024