Laurel Yvonne Acosta

Laurel Yvonne Acosta, 61, died peacefully Thursday, June 23, 2016 at her home in Show Low under the care of Hospice and her family.  She was born in Coral Gables, Florida to William and Florence Anne Blanchard.They moved as a family when she was 21 months old to Southern California. She graduated from Agoura High School in 1972 and went on to graduate from ASU with a degree in Education and a Masters degree from NAU in 1987.  She excelled in academics and could master anything she put her mind to, including computers, working on 18-wheeler engines, as well as driving them across country. She bragged about driving to all the states except Rhode Island. A teaching job in Taylor, Arizona brought her to the Show Low area. She taught Special Education one year in Taylor and a year at the Show Low Jr. High School before getting a job teaching 3rd grade at the Show Low Elementary School for 7 years with her sister Cheryl.  If you remember the "HanBell" team (Hancock/Bell) give her a shout out! In 1994 she and her brother Bill opened a pizza restaurant called Paradise Pizza. She then went on to work at Show Low Construction with her brother in law, Doyle Hancock. Her working career with Whiteriver Construction ended when her disabilities became too debilitating. She always kept a positive attitude and tried holistic ways to heal herself.Laurie met, fell in love with and married her soul mate, John Acosta, on June 5, 1998. They loved to camp and hike and commune with nature. Her dogs, Buster Brown and Little Man, are missing her now and always. Laurie is survived by her husband, John; her mother, Florence; brothers, William (LaVonne) and James (Nancy) Blanchard; sister, Cheryl Hancock; and many nieces , nephews and good friends she made along the way.She was preceded in death by her father, and hours before she passed said, "Move over Dad and make room for me and (her brother in law) Doyle." A small viewing was held at Owens Livingston Mortuary on Monday, June 27.