12/17/1930 – 10/16/2026
Lawrence
Our mother, Laurie Allison, passed on from this life on Friday, October 16, 2026.
Laurie J. Allison was born to Roy and Aileen Jones on December 17, 1930, in Warrensburg, Missouri.
Most of her school years were spent in Warrensburg except for two years during WWII when she attended school in Lawrence while her father worked at Sunflower Munitions Plant. The family later returned to Warrensburg where her father established his law practice. She met Robert (Bob) Allison while both were attending Central Missouri State, now known as the University of Central Missouri. After graduating with a teaching degree, Mom taught English for two years at Lee’s Summit Senior High School. She and Dad were married in Warrensburg on June 6, 1953.
Shortly after, they moved to Arkansas City, Kansas where their two kids, Jeff and Janet, were born. The family relocated to Lawrence in 1967 where Dad was employed by the Kansas Public Service Company. In 1976, Mom went to work for the Douglas County Extension Service. She was the front desk receptionist for 20 years and thoroughly enjoyed getting to know people from the Douglas County agricultural community including farmers, 4-H’ers, rodeo riders, demolition derby drivers and anyone and everyone connected to the Douglas County Fairgrounds and the Extension Service. After she retired in 1996, she and Dad travelled extensively in Canada, Europe and the U.S. until his death from cancer in 2011.
Mom was a member of First Presbyterian Church, P.E.O. Sisterhood, and Ventura Club. After retiring she enjoyed attending a wide variety of classes each year through Osher Continuing Education. She was a life-long student, a voracious reader, a true-blue KU, Chiefs and Royals fan and was one of the smartest, wisest and most humble people I have ever known.
She was preceded in death by her parents, my Dad in 2011 and my sister Janet who passed away in 2018 after battling multiple sclerosis for many years.
Survivors include her son Jeff Allison and daughter-in-law Georgeanne Allison, grandson Jay Allison, great-granddaughter Lisha Allison and her wife, Lucille.
Mom was the heart and soul of our family, and she led a very full, loving and rich life. She inspired her children to travel and experience the world. Both of us explored and lived in some wonderful places around the globe which gave us a true appreciation of our home here in Lawrence. We both eventually moved back. She will be dearly missed by all of us who knew and loved her.
We would like to extend our deep gratitude to the wonderful staff of Cedarhurst Assisted Living and Memory Care as well as to the excellent staff of Ascend Health Hospice for the loving care Mom received in the final chapter of her life. No services are planned, per Mom’s request.
In lieu of flowers, she requested that memorial donations be sent to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the American Cancer Society in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. To leave a message for Laurie’s family, please visit Rumsey-Yost.com.
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