LAURIE ANGELA SEARS LOVE

Laurie Angela Sears Love, Ed.D, of Tempe, Arizona, passed away at 60 years old on Thursday, May 14, 2015 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Tempe, AZ. Laurie Sears was born to Dr. Paul R. and Sonja I. Sears of Fort Dodge on January 19, 1955 in Fort Dodge, IA.

On February 14, 1997, Laurie A. Sears married Gregory A. Love, of Tempe, AZ at a wedding ceremony on Kaanapoli Beach in Maui, Hawaii. They returned to Fort Dodge for the Reception of their Wedding at the Fort Dodge Country Club to celebrate with friends and family.

Laurie Sears attended Iowa Central Community College, Denver University, and the University of Iowa,. She then transferred to Arizona State University (ASU), where she fell in love with Arizona. She received her Master’s Degree at ASU in Tempe, Arizona, and her Doctorate of Education Degree at Nova Southeastern in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. Laurie taught Art to K-12 students at three different schools at the same time, inspiring the creativity of 856 different students a week at one point in her career. Laurie achieved her Doctorate of Education while working fulltime in her career, being awarded for many achievements along the way, including “The Top Award for Excellence” in 1996 and 1997 from Nova Southeastern, and on the nominee list for this award two additional years. Laurie Sears was also nominated for “National Elementary Art Educator Award” (1998). Laurie has presented seminars and workshops at the NAEA National Conferences in Houston, TX (1995), San Francisco (1996), and Arizona State Art Education Conference from 1994-96.

Dr. Laurie A. Sears was a member of The National Art Education Association (NAEA), The National Education Association (NEA), the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI); and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Dr. Sears was known as an Art Specialist serving as an Art Educator for 32 years, and a Child and Youth Studies Specialist, Curriculum Specialist, Cultural Arts Instructor and Arts Education Advocate in her work in Arizona State. She spent many years with the Kyrene Elementary School District. Along with several colleagues, wrote the newly adopted Visual Arts Curriculum and performance-based assessment tools which are aligned to the National Visual Arts Standards. She served on numerous district and state committees, advocating for stronger art programs and educating staffs and communities on the importance of art education. During summer months, she taught at Northern Arizona State University in Flagstaff, AZ.

Laurie’s heart was filled with love for God, family, friends, animal kingdom, nature and human kind. She enjoyed gardening, traveling and sharing stories of Fiji tribal stays and visits with family in Italy. Laurie enjoyed Karate and scuba diving instruction. Her fondest memories were the years she spent growing up on Twin Lakes, and the lifelong friends she made there.

Laurie leaves behind mother Sonja I. Sears; two siblings, Steven M. Sears and Liana J. Sears, (formerly Glaser); niece Angela C. (Glaser) Mickelson with Jason P. Mickelson, nephew and Godson Christopher M. Glaser, and her beloved cats. Laurie Sears was predeceased by her father Dr. Paul R. Sears, Mary and Albert Sears (Galva, IA), Iginia and Galeno Bellocchi (Florence, Italy), and her beloved German Shepherd, “Emerson.”

Laurie spent 40 years in Tempe, AZ, wanting nothing more than to return home to her friends and family, to her beloved First United Methodist Church where she was baptized, confirmed, and attended for her first 23 years of life.

Laurie Sears’ Memorial Service will be at 11:00 A.M., at the First United Methodist Church, 127 N. 10th St., in Fort Dodge, Iowa, on May 30, 2015, with lunch following at the Church.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, HER IMMEDIATE FAMILY HAS APPROVED MEMORIALS (ONLY) TO BE GIVEN TO “ALMOST HOME ANIMAL SHELTER” IN FORT DODGE.