Obituary of Laura Ann Speer

Laura Ann Speer 3-7-1935 †" 3-12-2022 Laura Ann Speer 87 of Denver Colorado passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her children. Laura was survived by her children Susan Beatrice Marley, Catherine Elizabeth Speer Gold, John Durban Speer, Glenn Matthew Speer and Paul Andrew Speer, Daughter in law Adrea Jiron, Daughter in law Angela Speer and Son in law Rick Gold. Laura is also survived by her brother Eugene Anzalone, Laura was also the Proud Grandmother of 31, and Great Grandmother of 11 and numerous nieces and nephews… in Arizona, Chicago, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Florida, South Carolina, Texas and Georgia. Laura was preceded in death and is now reunited in heaven with her beloved husband of 64 years Robert Frank Speer Sr. Sons Ray Wilson Speer II, Robert Frank Speer Jr, William David Speer and James C Marley. Laura was also proceeded in death by her Mom Susan Hughes, Dad John Hughes Mother Anna Marr of Italy and Father Ferdinand Esposito of Sicily. Laura was born in Chicago, IL March 7 1935 to Anna Marr and Ferdinand Esposito, Laura was subsequently adopted as a baby by John and Susan Hughes of Chicago Il who raised her and her sister Catherine. Laura was born with Spastic Paralysis but that never slowed her down. Laura always excelled at school and was the darling of her South Side Chicago/Sisario neighborhood, protected by friends and men in big black cars who frequently canvassed the neighborhood keeping a very close eye on Laura†™s comings and goings. Laura†™s best friend Betty Speer from Macon Georgia wanted to introduce her brother Robert Frank to Laura, Betty knew beyond a shadow of a doubt Robert and Laura would be perfect for each other. Robert came to Chicago to visit his sister and Betty introduced Robert to Laura. Robert took the brunette Laura on three dates before going back home to Colorado where he proceeded to date only blondes. Robert Frank would continue to call and talk with Laura almost daily. Then one night just a few months after first meeting Laura, Robert Frank out on a date with †œBlonde†� pulled the car over and called Laura at 3:00 AM and proceeded to ask her to marry him, Robert was in shock but absolutely ecstatic that Laura said YES! We are ALL thankful she said YES. The amazing Love story of Robert and Laura was just beginning and what a story it was! Robert Frank married Laura at his parents†™ home in Denver Colorado at 1:45 AM on March 7th 1957 Laura†™s 22nd Birthday. 9 months later Laura and Robert welcomed their 1st child Robert Frank Speer Jr. Laura had been told by Drs that due to her medical condition she would not be able to have children, something Laura†™s dad John had talked with Robert Frank about before they were married. As Laura and Robert would say many times over the years, God had his own plan and blessed Laura and Robert with 8 healthy children and 3 angels. Laura would be crazy busy for the next 50 years raising her 9 children. Yes 9 as Laura always said Robert Frank Sr was her most challenging child. Laura and Robert Frank bought their 1st home after their son William (Bill) was born. Laura saved every penny she could from Robert Franks paychecks allowing them to have a home and food for their growing family. Laura was so proud of her family, she knew that we might not have everything we wanted, but did have what we needed and most importantly more Love than you could imagine. Love was always in ample supply in Laura†™s home. Everyone was welcome and NO-ONE ever left hungry or without a big basket full of food. Laura was always there to listen, and she gave awesome advice when asked. This is why Robert Franks favorite phrase throughout the years when any of his children, children†™s friends or their friends needed advice he would always say †œtalk to mom†�. Everyone called Laura mom. Most didn†™t even know her name, it was just Mom/Grandma and Mr. Speer/Grand Pa. This would be the mantra of Laura till her final day here on earth. Everyone who ever met her was entranced by her genuine kindness and compassion. One of the greatest joys of Laura†™s life was becoming a grandparent. She was always the 1st to find out one of her children was going to be a parent and was in attendance or 1st to arrive when her grandbaby was born. If you would ask any of her children, grandchildren or great grandchildren who was her favorite everyone would say with absolute certainty that they were the favorite and they would all be right. Mom had this special way of making sure everyone of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren knew they were her favorite no question about it. Her love for us was absolute. Laura was a woman of strong faith. She was raised Catholic and went to Catholic school in Chicago. After meeting and marrying Robert Frank Laura converted to Independent Baptist. Laura was so proud when Robert Frank became an Ordained Minister preaching the word of God, they raised their children in the Baptist faith. They held strong to their faith throughout their lives knowing they would be reunited in heaven when their time came. Laura was always a modest woman and wouldn†™t hesitate to give a complete stranger the shirt off her back. If she had something someone needed, she would gladly give it to them and ask if they needed anything else without ever asking for anything in return. This is just who she was. Laura was truly a wonderful woman who touched everyone she came in contact with. We were all truly blessed to call her mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Sister, Aunt and Friend. The world is a little dimmer with out her. But she†™ll be keeping a close watch over each of us from heaven. Laura is now reunited with all those who went before her and is back in her loving husbands†™ arms, both young and healthy laughing and running around heaven visiting with family and friends and making new friends (Cowboys dad has met). Laura†™s time on this earth was a life well spent and she left her mark on each of our hearts. All she ever wanted was for everyone she loved to be happy healthy and well fed. Till we meet again we Love you Mom