Laurie Lavon Gaffney

February 18, 1952 - April 23, 2016

Passed on April 23, 2016 at 12:08 am at the Hospice of Spokane - North, with family by her side. Laurie was a beloved mom, wife, sister, grandma, friend, day-care provider and 3x breast cancer survivor. Laurie was a true warrior succumbing to bone cancer in her final days after 25 years of fighting. She was a vibrant, high-energy and spiritual woman. Laurie was born in Spokane WA on February 18, 1952, the oldest of 4 siblings; 3 brothers and 1 sister. She attended Rogers High School. After graduation, she married and had 3 children, Aaron, Andrea and Rochelle and spent her 20’s and early 30’s in Spokane running her in-home daycare on the South Hill. Even then she had a natural ability for taking care of children and often said it was her gift from God. Laurie’s home was often the location for family gatherings, holidays and Sunday dinners. In her mid-30’s to early 40’s, Laurie and her family lived in Clarkston WA. As her 2 oldest children graduated, she returned to Spokane to be near family again. Family and togetherness was always something Laurie cherished. In her late 40’s she met Michael Gaffney and soon married what she always described as her ‘soul-mate’. To see them together, you would have to agree. They shared a lot of laughter and a true partnership. Laurie and her husband Mike spent summers on their house-boat having some of their best times with family and friends. This is where Laurie loved to be and she lived life fully. Laurie traveled often to Los Angeles, CA to visit her 2 oldest children and spent many weekends on the beach, dining out and shopping. Shortly after her 60th birthday in May 2013 Laurie learned she had metastasized bone cancer from her bouts with breast cancer through the years. She had fought very hard all those years with staying positive and doing what she needed to do to be there for her family no matter what. She always bugged her children for grandbabies and it was such a joy to share the news with her in January 2015 that she would be a ‘grammie’ in July 2015 to her first and only grandson, Panos. And boy did she have a hard time pronouncing this Greek name! She’d say, with a big laugh, ‘you couldn’t just name him John’! In her last few months, Laurie was enjoying the ability to redecorate her home into the beautiful color and design it is. She was always so proud of her home and took great pride in decorating. It is another wonderful reminder of her spirit. Laurie was a true warrior and survivor exhibiting such strength and courage. She was loved by so many and will be dearly missed. Laurie is survived by her spouse, Michael Gaffney of Spokane, WA; children, oldest to youngest , Aaron Anderson of Los Angeles, CA, Andrea Anderson (Theo Koutras) of Los Angeles, CA and Rochelle Gaffney (Kain Gaffney) of Spokane, WA; grandchildren, 10 months old Panos Lavon Koutras of Los Angeles, CA; siblings, Craig Dreyer, Frank Dreyer and Jennifer Hatcher of Spokane, WA; niece, Brenna Bollinger of Spokane, WA; and nephews, Justin and James Dreyer of Spokane, WA. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Jerry Dreyer and Marion Hatcher; and her brother, Kevin Dreyer. A family service will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2016 from 2-6 pm at the residence of Michael & Laurie Gaffney, 6916 N. Lincoln, Spokane, WA 99208, w/ Pastor Happy Watkins in attendance.