September 02nd, 2020

Laura Marie Shafford
LAURA MARIE SHAFFORD, 87.
Laura passed away in Deer Lodge on August 24, 2020.
Laura was born in Anaconda on September 10, 1932 to Patsy D. Lorello and Gladys M. (Frazer) Lorello.  The middle child and only girl of three children, Laura didn’t like school and dreamed of being a mommy.  That was immediate on August 16, 1951 when she married Elwood Shafford who had two children.  Over a 20 year period, Laura  bore six boys.
Whether it be kids, mechanics, or butchering, she loved being a part of the clean-up crew.  Laura enjoyed the family camping/fishing trips to the mountain lakes west of Deer Lodge.  All were invited to the Italian family dinner nights.  She was an integral part in raising many grandchildren.  Later, she cleaned houses for elderly friends and faithfully cared for her mother and husband during Alzheimer’s.  She always woke up in a good mood and looked for the good in everyone.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Richie and Howie, husband Elwood, sons Jerry, Jack, and John, stepson Billy and granddaughter Jodi.  She is survived by her sons Jim, Joe, and Jed (Karrie) stepdaughter Susie (Marty) Mavrinac, nine grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.  At Laura’s request, no services will be held.  Memorials are donor’s choice.

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Laura Marie Shafford
Laura Marie Shafford, 87.
This is written in the honor of my Mother, Laura Marie Shafford.  She was born into this world September 10, 1932 and passed August 24, 2020 at the age of 87.  She is the daughter of Pat and Gladys Lorello and the sister of Howard and Richard Lorello.  Mom raised six boys.  Mom was survived and preceded by many.  She was one of the greatest ladies ever to walk the grounds of this Earth.  And most importantly the greatest Mother anybody could ever have! A Mother that gave her undivided attention to every sibling.  Every meal was a home cooked meal for the entire family and for any friend or neighbor who stopped by.  She also chose the best and most honored man that most have ever known.  Together they made the most out of life, in an era of time when most every innovative items were hitting the store shelves.  Dad was a working man who worked for the Anaconda Company so most all of those items made it to our home.  Making Mom’s life the most fulfilled and completed life a Mother could ever live.  On my Dad’s days off we were definitely out camping somewhere in the mountains.  On his working days Mom loaded the car with picnic baskets and off to the Columbia Gardens or Fairmont we went.  When the Gardens closed I don’t think we missed a park or special event that the community had to offer.  There was no rest for such a great Mother.  She was for sure and most importantly our Mother, but she worked as well.  She worked at the Galen hospital laundry for years, she worked house keeping at Fairmont Hot Springs.  In her later years she cared for her Mother and then Dad who both suffered with Alzheimer’s disease.  Mom in her latest years suffered from dementia.  I cared for her and kept her in her home for as long as I possibly could.  The most difficult decision I had ever made was to take her from her home and put her in a care facility.  Just as hard was not to be able to honor her wish for her to die in her home in her own bed due to the fact I was not her power of attorney.  But I know you are an understanding Mother and I hope the sun, the moon, and the stars take you to the best place ever!  I LOVE YOU MOM AND I HOPE YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH THE INFINITE TAKES YOU TO A WONDERFUL PLACE!!! 
With love, your son Joe

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