Laura Jane Stearns was born May 24, 1936, in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. She was the child of Raymond and Lucy McNeese. She passed peacefully with family by her side while receiving hospice care at Kobacker House in Columbus, Ohio on June 15, 2024, at the age of 88.
She and her husband, Robert Dean Stearns, raised three children in Akron, Ohio beginning in 1962. She lived in the same house where the children were raised from 1962 until August 2023. She was a fiercely devoted daughter, wife, and mother. Laura Stearns was a lover of summer, gardening, animals, and the outdoors. She was always eager to help anyone at any time.
She began working at O’Neil’s department store located in Summit Mall around 1980. She was a devoted and beloved employee and saw the transition from O’Neil’s to May Company to Kaufman’s and finally to Macy’s. Her career in retail spanned over 20 years. She had many customers who regularly sought out her opinion and counsel related to clothing and accessories. She had a gift for helping her customers look their very best. While working there she became good friends with her coworkers, Julie Friedman and Martha Bisson. The three enjoyed a deep and lasting friendship that was a great blessing to her over the years up to the time of her passing. She will be remembered by all who knew her for her kindness, her amazing sense of humor, and her love of learning new things.
She will be deeply missed by her children; Jeffrey Dean Stearns (Akron, Ohio), Rev. Robert Seth Stearns (Lori Porschart) (Dublin, Ohio), and Steffany Stearns (Akron, Ohio). As well as her two nephews, Christopher Stearns (Kathryn West) and Jonathan Stearns and her 9 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
An informal service is being planned for later in the summer.
To celebrate the life and spirit of Laura Jane Stearns, memorial contributions may be made to:
First Community Foundation
1320 Cambridge Blvd.
Columbus, Ohio 43212
And/or
Kobacker House
c/o OhioHealth Foundation
3430 OhioHealth Parkway, Fl. 3
Columbus, OH 43202
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