- Date Of Birth: June 19, 1920
- Date Of Death: August 1, 2014
- State: Idaho
Laura Joyce Mott was born on June 19, 1930 in Penticton, B.C. Canada to John and Emily Mott. She was the third of four siblings who grew up in Summerland, B.C. and graduated from the High School there. Because of a fire that destroyed some classrooms, those students going on to Grade 13 (1st year university) were transported ten miles to Penticton by bus so they could complete the year. The following year Laura attendee what was then known as Normal school along with her older sibling Margery. The two, along with their younger brother, Preston, batched together while all three continued their education.
Following graduation and obtaining her teaching certificate Laura began her career. Teaching grades one, two, and three in the Kootney area of B.C., followed by teaching positions in Langley, North Vancouver and finishing at Second Street Elementary occupied the next few years. Laura loved her teaching classes, especially the younger grades.
Growing up in the fruit growing area of B.C. her summers were spent picking fruit and working in the packing houses. She was very adept at packing fruit for shipment and so had no trouble finding work.
On August 6, 1955 Laura married Lyle Barnes. Together they set up housekeeping while Lyle completed his Radiologic Technology training in a North Vancouver Hospital and Laura continued teaching. Eventually they moved to Burnaby close to where Lyle found work at the Royal Columbian Hospital. Laura continued to teach at the Second Street Elementary school about a mile from their home. It was during this time that their first child Katheryn was born followed two years later by the second child Warren.
In 1964 the family immigrated to the United States where Lyle found work in the Caldwell Hospital. Laura continued as a stay-at-home Mom and in 1966 a third child Jeffrey blessed their home.
Laura also continued her love of teaching by giving piano lessons, having as many as 20-25 students per year. This continued for the next 30 years until forced to retire due to health problems.
Laura is survived by her husband, Lyle; her children, Kathryn (Matt) of Leavenworth, WA, Warren (Amy) of Boise, and Jeffrey (Carolyn) of Caldwell; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild; her sister, Emily Holden; and brother, Preston Mott both of B.C. Canada.
