Laura Dean Armstrong, 80 of Richland, Washington passed away March 19, 2018 from issues related to her battle with heart disease. Her immediate family and her devoted companion of ten years, Larry Inscore, were able to be with her in the days preceding her death. Laura was born July 28, 1937 to Dean and Laura Margaret Kirby in South Bend, Indiana. Much of her young life as an only child was spent in Illinois, where she enjoyed a "farm life" filled with adventures and shared memory making times with friends and special cousins. In 1948 the family came to Richland, Washington. Laura attended John Ball School, where her mother taught, and later, Carmichael Jr. High and Columbia High School (Richland) where she graduated in 1955. Laura was a song-leader, and she received an art scholarship to Western University in Bellingham, Washington. Soon after, she married her high-school sweetheart, William David Belcher. Together they had three daughters. When her children were young Laura acted as a Blue Bird leader and PTA member. She was married to Ron L. Armstrong from 1970 to 2002. Most of her working career was spent as a cosmetologist for Payless Drugstore. She was a member of Retail Clerks Union #1439 in which she also served as an executive board member. After her retirement she became a more active Christian and was baptized at Columbia Community Church. Laura enjoyed many creative activities, including journaling, jewelry making, and maintained a life-long love of the written word. Laura felt a great honor in performing her civic duties, she was a voter registrar and served as a jury member. She spent many hours as a volunteer for the F.O.E. Ladies auxiliary and served as president in that organization. She also volunteered as a rape crisis advocacy counselor. Laura loved participating in her writers group. She loved the Oregon Coast and vacationed there as often as she could. Laura is survived by her fiancé and special friend, Larry Inscore of Richland, Washington; her three daughters, Shelly Sansaver of Spokane, Washington; Kirby Sue Taylor and spouse, Brad Taylor of Prosser, Washington; and Brenda Boyle and spouse, Jim Boyle of Lewiston, Idaho; ten grandchildren and was lovingly called "Grandma Cookie" by her 8 great-grandchildren. Laura was preceded in death by her parents William Dean Kirby and Laura Margaret Kirby. A memorial service will be held in the chapel at Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home, 1401 S. Union, Kennewick, Washington on Saturday, March 31, 2018 at 11:00am.