Obituary Notice Text Submitted to us by Lauri's Dad (1/2009):

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 26 at 2:00 PM at Faith Lutheran Church, 667 E. First Avenue, Chico, for Laura Lee Kirks of Berkeley.

She was born on March 17, 1971, in Port Angeles, WA, and moved to Chico in 1975. Laura attended Citrus Elementary School, Chico Junior High School, and Chico Senior High School, graduating in 1989.

Laura graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 1993, with a degree in Legal Studies. She was valedictorian of her class and a member of Alpha Charter, Phi Beta Kappa, and Alpha Phi Sorority.

After receiving an M.A. in Sociology at Yale University, 1996, she returned to Berkeley where she was a candidate for a PhD in Jurisprudence and Social Policy, a program affiliated with Boalt Hall School of Law.

Laura was an avid reader and researcher who enjoyed many sports and outdoor recreational activities.

She is survived by her parents, Barbara Kirks Fischer and James Kirks, both of Chico; a sister Cara Kirks Debley of Portland, OR; her grandmother, Ruth Barry of Alhambra; her paternal grandparents, Grace and Harvey Kirks of Portland, OR; and her many aunts, uncles and cousins; her special friend Jeremy Elkins of Berkeley, and many friends on both the East and West Coasts.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Columbarium Fund at Faith Lutheran Church or to your local animal shelter.

Arrangements are being made by Affordable Mortuary Services of Chico.