Laura Jean McCarver passed away, peacefully, August 22, 2023. She was born in Trinidad, Colorado on October 29, 1954. She attended area schools, graduating from Trinidad High School in 1972, and Trinidad State Junior College in 1974 with a degree in Secretarial Science.
Laura landed her first job at the tender age of 16. She worked as a waitress at A&W. She, also, waitressed at Charlie’s Diner, while still in high school.
Laura moved to Denver after school, but she returned to Trinidad, in 1978, to be close to family. She worked at Trinidad School District No. 1 for a time when she returned.
Laura, thereafter, had a change in her career path. She began a long and fruitful career for 29 years, July 1981-June 2010 as a secretary for the Las Animas County/CSU Extension office. Laura’s devotion to the 4-H program was evident in the bond she had formed with the many 4-Hers of Las Animas County. This includes her niece and nephew. In the 90s and still working at the CSU Extension office, Laura could be found waiting tables, part-time, at her mother’s restaurant, El Paso Cafe, in Trinidad. It was a team effort on all the siblings’ part, and their children, to help their mother with her business. From June 2014-September 2017, Laura worked in the photo lab at Walmart, in Trinidad. She retired in January 2020.
Laura was the oldest of eight children, five girls and three boys. Family meant everything to her. The mother hen she was to her younger siblings, she would often take them to Kit Carson Park to listen to live music being played in the bandstand. Early in their lives, she exposed them to her love and passion for music and to her groovy hippie side and down-to-earth spirit. Laura was an inspiration and role model to her brothers and sisters. She will always be one of the five, “Pitts’ sisters.
On August 13, 1973, Laura gave birth to her precious son, Jeremy. She doted on him and as a single parent, she raised him with all of the unconditional love and support a mother could give her child. She became a grandmother to one grandson and two granddaughters. They were her pride and joy whom she loved deeply.
Laura was married to her soul mate, Mike McCarver, September 1996 until his death in 2006. They enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson to Red River, NM for the annual bike rally and they participated in local poker runs.
Laura was supportive of her family, including her nieces and nephews who she fondly loved. She would often be found in the stands or the audience of sporting events and dance recitals. Her calendar was filled with birthdays and anniversaries of family. She never forgot one. Laura was a music and trivia buff and a walking information booth. She was attentive to detail and she was the go to person when one had a question. Laura was an avid reader and historian.
Laura was preceded in death by her husband, Mike McCarver; parents, Robert and Isabel Padilla; sister, Dina Hathoot; sisters-in-law, Jacqueline Paulsen and Sherry McCarver; brothers-in-law, Bob McCarver and Sean McCarver; niece, Krystal Padilla; maternal and paternal grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She is survived by her son, Jeremy Garcia; grandson, Christopher; granddaughters, Sienna and Gianna; siblings, Robert (Lindsay) Padilla, Linda (Tim) Montoya, Mike Padilla, Gary Padilla, Paula Padilla (fiance Carey Jones), and Regina (Zak) Robinson; sister-in-law, Marilyn Fredericks and brother-in-law John Hathoot. She also leaves behind her beloved dogs, Maggie and Bella. Laura is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A graveside service will be held Friday, September 15, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at the Trinidad Catholic Cemetery. Family will greet family and friends, after the service, at the Las Animas County/CSU Extension Office Conference Room, located at the Las Animas County Fairgrounds.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Comi Funeral Home.
