Laura Marie Creatura

Laura Marie Creatura passed away peacefully on December 28, 2010 at the age of 86. She had lived in Redlands since 1949, after she and her husband, John, moved from Chicago following their honeymoon in southern California. They initially lived in a trailer near the Brookside Dairy in a walnut grove they had sold to Laura s parents, Henry and Josephine Battain, who followed them to California. John and Laura had two children, Lynda Creatura Schauf and J. Richard Creatura. Laura was in the travel business for almost 40 years and was the founder of Laura s Travel Service, which her daughter, Lynda, now owns and operates in the same location where it began. Lynda gave her two grandchildren, Teri and Michael Schauf. Laura was able to celebrate Teri s marriage to Casey Weideman last year. Lynda now lives in a home that was constructed on the same property where her grandparents and parents first settled. Rick gave Laura a daughter-in-law, Theresa, and three more grandchildren, Lauren, David and Lisa (her medicine ). Rick and his family make their home in Tacoma, Washington. Laura was proud to have her granddaughter, Lauren, return to Redlands and graduate this year from the University of Redlands, where Laura and John had been active donors and boosters. Laura will long be remembered for her love of her family, her friends, and her community. Among the community organizations she served were Soroptimists, Redlands Chamber of Commerce, Redlands Community Hospital, Redlands Family Service, Redlands Breakfast Club, and the Redlands Evening Auxiliary. Laura was the recipient of the Woman of the Distinction Award given out each year by the Redlands Town and Gown Association for her business and community involvement. Her daughter, Lynda, followed in her mother s footsteps in 1998, becoming one of the few mother-daughter dual recipients. John predeceased Laura in 2000. She has lived for the last eight years at Plymouth Village, where many of her old friends, and many new ones, were with her to the end. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 5, 2011, at Emmerson-Bartlett Memorial Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Redlands Community Hospital or Redlands Family Service two of the fine organizations she cherished.