Lauri May Pruett was born at West Seattle Hospital to Max and Shirley Pruett on December 26, 1956. Lauri was the second of five children. It was clear from the beginning that her sometimes sweet, sometimes fiery nature would influence much of her life and those around her. Her sparkling eyes and vibrant, spirited personality are truly memorable.
The Pruetts initially lived in Normandy Park and later moved to Vashon Island in 1966 to raise their family on a beautiful waterfront farm on Vashon’s west side. Lauri’s youth spent on that farm gave her a lifelong love of the beach, animals and nature — especially horses, birds, gardening, and tranquil surroundings.
After graduating from Vashon High School in 1975, she attended dental school at Shoreline Community College, graduating with honors and soon gathering accolades in her chosen profession as a dental hygienist. She served on the Dental Hygiene Examining Committee early in her career, and later taught dental hygiene at multiple local colleges.
Lauri lived for many years in the Normandy Park neighborhood raising her 3 boys there. As the youngest was reaching adulthood, Lauri began to experience autoimmune disease symptoms and was eventually diagnosed with Scleroderma, an incurable condition. Lauri’s strong faith and belief in Jesus as her constant companion kept her spirits bright.
While she experienced increasing physical challenges over a period of several years, she also experienced great joy. She delighted in becoming a grandmother and spending time with her grandchildren. She met her soul mate, David Celmer on a date at the Point Defiance Zoo. There, the two made an instant connection and talked for hours until being asked to leave at closing time. Following that first date, they formed a tight bond that brought Lauri great happiness and peace for the remainder of her life.
Lauri returned to Vashon to spend her last few years living in her beloved cottage on the Pruett farm. These were happy times where Lauri was able to express her creative spirit. She made glass art flowers and birdfeeders, created unique and decorative garden spaces, and loved taking walks on the beach with her grandchildren and David. They would pick the fruit in the orchard and revel in what they could make from their bounty. She also loved keeping track of her resident deer family, in particular “Momma Mia” and her fawns.
Lauri passed peacefully in her sleep on February 12, 2017 in the arms of her sweet David, exactly as she had wished. She is preceded in death by her father, Max Pruett, Jr. She is survived by her mother, Shirley Pruett, her companion David Celmer, her sons, Scott Pfeiffer, Jeff Pfeiffer (Tara Brinton), and Aaron Welch and her grandchildren, Gabe and Max Pfeiffer, and Aria Brinton, siblings Mike Pruett (Karen), Gwenn Polik (Dean), Chris Pruett (Cheryl) and Evan Pruett (Sarah), and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews
A Celebration of Lauri’s life will be held at the Vashon Sportsman’s Club on April 9th at 1p.m. Donations may be made to The Scleroderma Foundation (scleroderma.org).
Please visit our online guest book at www.islandfuneral.com.
