Laura Malloy, age 60, passed away on December 17, 2023, after a courageous battle with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA).
Laura was born on July 13,1963 to Joanne and Frank Geraci and raised in San Marino California. In her early years Laura displayed a strong, joy-filled spirit which continued throughout her life. She attended the University of San Diego and spent her Junior year at Oxford University in England. She graduated with a BA in English Literature and received a Masters in Education from Cal Poly Pomona. Laura had found her purpose in life. She loved teaching as well as children and with that combination children happily responded to her warmth and knowledge.
Early in her adulthood, Laura’s adventurous nature developed into a passion for the outdoors that included camping with many friends, rock climbing in Yosemite Valley along with a fascination with the American west and North American Indians. Her interests were boundless and fearlessly approached.
Through attending teaching conferences, she was exposed to other school districts which led to being recruited from her position in the San Gabriel Valley to the Long Beach School System as a GATE Certified fourth grade teacher. Laura thrived in this position and thoroughly enjoyed being in a beach community.
Laura met her future husband Timothy Malloy and they were married in 2000. They welcomed sons Dillon and Jake who enhanced and added new meaning to their lives. When the boys entered elementary school, Laura redefined herself as a science teacher in order to be close to them at Fremont Elementary School. There were many parents with whom Laura became good friends through the years and they have been wonderfully supportive throughout her illness.
During her career, Laura was honored to be a recipient of the Boeing Space Academy for Educators Program at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where she participated in simulated space missions, astronaut training and lectures by experts in rocketry and space exploration.
Laura is survived by her husband Timothy and sons Dillon and Jake, parents Joanne and Frank Geraci, siblings Frank, Greg (Lynn) Geraci, and Kristen (Steve) Anderson.
Laura will be remembered for her zest for life. Her warmth, love and magnetic personality touched many lives. She made and kept friends for life and was accepting and compassionate to all people. She leaves quite a legacy. We will miss her deeply, however, she will live on in our hearts.
Services will be held on Friday, January 26th at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church located at 1501 Fremont Ave., South Pasadena, CA.
It was Laura’s request that in lieu of flowers, consider donating to: The Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles, 920 East Alhambra Road, Alhambra, CA 91801. www.carmelitesistersocd.com/support/
