Trisha Laker

Trisha Curtis Laker arrived 9 weeks early in February 12, 1977. She was welcomed by her parents, Janet & Dalton Curtis and her siblings Gaira & Michael. She also has a large extended family that rejoiced in her safe delivery. Although she arrived early she had the Curtis family trait of never being anywhere on time. When she was 20 years old she lost her beloved father, Dalton. She never recovered from that loss. It has haunted her for 18 years. She attended and graduated from Thatcher Schools and E.A.C. where she was a wrestlerette and cheerleader. She was an honor student with a rebellious streak. She went back to school and graduated in 2007 with an honors degree in education. She intended to be an elementary school teacher. Due to years of health problems she never competed her student teaching. She worked for 14 years at MTD Southwest which later became Ryobi. She started in customer service and then became an engineering tech. She could take apart and reassemble a weed eater in no time at all. Trisha made friends and touched lives wherever she went. Everyone she met instantly became her best friend. Her beautiful smile and rebellious attitude made "people collecting" her most prolific hobby. Trisha has always done things in her own way and on her own timeline. She was always happiest outdoors in the sunshine and the Arizona dirt. She like gardening, rock hounding, collecting arrowheads, Coca Cola collectables, scrapbooking, crocheting and knitting. She met the love of her life, Kalani Laker, on a blind date and the rest was history. They have 3 beautiful daughters; Kaylee, 13, Kiana, 9 and Khloe, 3. Trisha was pregnant with Khloe when her breast cancer was discovered. She refused to give up her baby and she and Khloe went through chemotherapy together. After Khloe's birth in 2013, Trisha had surgery, more chemotherapy, radiation and more surgery. She was declared cancer free in 2014 but it returned with a vengeance a few weeks ago. This time she did not have the strength to fight it and lost her battle on May 11, 2016. Trisha is survived by Janet & Brando Quinn, Gaira Germaine, Michael & Annie Curtis, Kalani Laker, Kaylee, Kiana & Khloe Laker, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and all her dear friends. She was preceded in death by her loving father, Dalton Curtis, her grandparents: Mary & Harvey Ely and Betty & Mayburn Curtis. She will be mourned and missed by many. She was a bright and shining star whose light has been extinguished too soon. An Open House will be held on Saturday, May 28, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. at the David M. Player Center for the Arts in Safford with the funeral services to follow at 5:00 p.m. Interment will be in the Safford Cemetery.