Nesta Grace Laird née Huscroft
April 7, 1922 ~ June 8, 2015
Nesta Grace Laird was born in Creston, B.C. Canada on April 7, 1922 to George and Doris Huscroft. She died in Tualatin, Oregon, June 8, 2015.
Nesta was the oldest of four children. She attended elementary school in Wynndel and went to Creston for high school. She was an outstanding student who earned high marks and was always interested in learning. She talked about growing up in the “hungry 30’s” but said that hers was a tight knit family filled with good times and lots of love.
After graduating from high school Nesta enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Nesta served four years in the Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1946.
Shortly after being discharged, Nesta married Craig Brodie. They had three children: Denis, Pam and Sandy.
The family moved from Canada to Eugene, Oregon in 1958 for Craig’s work. Nesta began working for Dr. Ronald Findley in 1958. She worked for that very same doctor for 30 years, retiring in 1988.
In 1968 Nesta married Walt Laird. Walt died suddenly in 1974. More tragedy struck Nesta’s life in September, 1979 when her only son Denis was killed while piloting his airplane near Hillsboro, Oregon.
Despite the loss of Walt and Denis, Nesta stayed busy with her job at Doctor Findley’s office, being a leader in the Women of the Moose, and travelling with friends.
Upon her retirement in 1988, she spent a great deal of time with her granddaughters. Her friends were very important to her. She belonged to the Golden Girls and participated in many social events with friends. She gave freely of her time in serving others; she was especially active in volunteer activities in her church.
She wanted to be remembered as an organized person who – like her church – “had her house in order”.
Even though she is now in heaven where she wanted to be she has left a void with those she leaves behind.
She is predeceased by her husband, Walt Laird, son Denis Brodie, sister Doris Huston, and brother Denis Huscroft.
She is survived by sister Muriel Lasuta, daughter Pam Maruszewski, daughter Sandy Kosik, precious grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a large extended family.