Laura Lea (Lewis) O'Brien

November 8, 1970 – April 29, 2023

Laura Lea (Lewis) O’Brien was born November 8, 1970, to Karen (Toedter) and Allen Lewis in Spokane, Washington. The family lived on a farm in Worley, Idaho where she attended school through the fifth grade. In 1981 they moved to the family farm in Rockford, Washington. She was active in cheerleading and a member of the band, and served a one-year reign as Southeast Spokane County Fair Queen. She graduated from Freeman High School in 1988. She continued her education at Washington State University where she obtained a Bachelor of Pharmacy (cum laude), graduating in 1993. During her time at WSU, Laura Lea was an active member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority, and served as chapter president. Laura Lea met Shawn O’Brien the first semester of their freshman year during Chemistry 105, where they were lab partners. They dated throughout college and were married May 29, 1993, at Zion Lutheran Church in Fairfield, Washington, the same church where she was baptized and confirmed. After graduation, Shawn and Laura Lea began their careers in Moses Lake, Washington, and started a family.

Laura Lea was always fully dedicated, involved and ready to take charge with any cause, project, trip or party. She was a loyal friend who would step up and help if there was a need, often before the need was even realized. She was a dedicated wife and mother, band mom, sorority advisor, PTO leader, PEO member, 4-H leader, church pianist, pharmacist, avid reader, an advocate for numerous bonds for the town of Moses Lake, and a keeper of her Dahlia Garden. There was never a birthday, New Year’s Eve, bridal shower or road trip she wasn’t willing to plan, giving her time and energy for others. If there was a need she could not fill, a task she couldn’t complete or an event that she could not chaperone, she was always willing to volunteer her husband to fill the need. She was instrumental in her children’s lives, involving them in numerous activities and providing abundant support for them along the way. While raising young children, Laura Lea worked part-time as a pharmacist to be there for every moment, was a large part of their success and captured photos for every life event, big or small. She felt that she feared failure, but that drove her to succeed and excel in everything she did. That drive and desire has been instilled in her children and has left a legacy for years to come. Laura Lea was giving in her final moments, donating her organs for the benefit of others’ lives.

The community, her family and friends and everyone she encountered are left with a big void that will be hard to fill due to her big personality and the many shoes she wore. The world would be a great place if even a small portion of society were instilled with her drive and dedication. Laura Lea made a lasting impression on those around her, touching lives in a positive way. She was reliable, dependable and accountable, and pushed you to be your very best.

Laura Lea left her earthly home on April 29, 2023, at Sacred Heart Medical Center, surrounded by her family, her best friend Suzette and numerous others whom her life impacted in her 52 years. By being an organ donor, Laura Lea was acknowledged through a Walk of Honor for the gifts she gave to others in need.

She was preceded in death by her mother Karen Lewis, her father-in-law Marty O’Brien, her grandparents and her cousin Daniel Toedter. Laura Lea is survived by her husband Shawn O’Brien of 29 years; her children Darby (Talen), Dylan and Derek; her father Allen Lewis; her brother Sean Lewis; her mother-in-law Judy O’Brien; her brother-in-law Devin O’Brien (Jessica); her nephews Colton and Kyren; her aunt Marilyn (Larry) Harper; her uncle Melvin (Shirley) Toedter; her aunt Ann Moore and her cousins Lance (Karen) Harper, Tonya Harper and Steven Toedter.

A service will be held on May 20, 2023, at 3:30 p.m. at the Moses Lake Alliance Church, 1100 N. Grape Drive, Moses Lake, Washington. A livestream option can be found on YouTube by searching MLAC (@mlac6071). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lutherhaven Ministries (Camp Lutherhaven, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho), or to the charity of your choosing.