May 20, 1943 to May 20, 2018

Laura Lee (Spinicci) Vanston, RN (Age 77) of Huntington, WV passed away on Thursday, May 17, 2018. She is survived by her three children, a daughter-in-law and a son-in-law: Jerry and Carrie Vanston of Huntington, Joe and Lisa Thorpe of Eldersburg, MD, and Richard Vanston of Columbia, MD; her 4 grandchildren: Benjamin and Caitlin Vanston of Huntington, and Maria and Ian Thorpe of Eldersburg; her brother Robert Spinicci of Bradenton, FL; her sister and brother-in-law: Barbara and James Sharratta of Cleveland, OH; her sister-in-law: Maurita Hogan of Midlothian, VA; and many nieces and nephews. Laura was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Vanston, MD, and her parents, Bruno and Anna Spinicci of Swoyersville, PA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 am on Thursday, May 31, 2018 at St. Ann’s Basilica, 1233 St. Ann St., Scranton, PA, 18504. Interment to follow at Cathedral Cemetery. The family will receive visitors at 9:00 am before mass at the Thomas J. Hughes Funeral Home, 1240 St. Ann St. A tomboy in grade school, Laura was known for spitting through the adorable gap in her two front teeth. By high school, however, she had grown into the town beauty and was known instead for her perfect ponytails and 1950s fashion. Upon graduation from Swoyersville High School, Laura attended Wilkes-Barre General Hospital Nursing School, which included training in Danville, PA and from which she earned her nursing diploma in 1961. While a student nurse, she met Gerald during his medical internship, and he won her over with his funny storytelling. They were married in 1961 at St. Ann’s (Holy Family) in Luzerne, PA and shared many laughs and hilarious episodes during their 41 year marriage until Gerald died in 2002. Thereafter, “LaLa” particularly enjoyed the company of her grandchildren.Laura was as a stay-at-home wife and mother, first in Philadelphia, PA until 1962 and then in Huntington, WV, where she and Gerald raised their 3 children. In Huntington, they became ardent and loyal fans and supporters of Marshall University’s Thundering Herd, which served as a focal point of their social lives. In her other spare time, Laura engaged in volunteer activities through the Cabell County Medical Auxiliary, at her children’s schools, and at the Huntington Red Cross. She was known around town for her sense of humor and good taste in fine clothes, jewelry, china and crystal. However, few people knew that Laura also functioned as the handywoman around her house. Laura also enjoyed card games and TV and book mysteries, as well as various word puzzles. She was widely regarded as an excellent, healthy, and efficient cook. She especially excelled at making holidays special for her immediate and extended families and friends. Her specialty dishes included Chicken Cacciatore, Spanish Rice, Sweet & Sour Pork, and Chili, which she perfected as oven and crockpot meals. This allowed her to take her treasured afternoon nap with the family dog at her feet or spend time playing card and board games with her children and their friends after school, whom she always welcomed into her home. Indeed, Laura will be most remembered for her friendly and enduring generosity and hospitality to her family, relatives, in-laws, and friends, who will all miss her very much. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Laura’s name to St. Ann’s in Scranton or Luzerne, to the American Red Cross, or to the Big Green Scholarship Foundation.

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