Laura Medina

Laura B. Medina of Tulsa passed away on December 14, 2023, at age 83. Her life story is one of family, faith, friendship, and kindness. Laura was born to Maria Luisa and Segundo Vinueza in Cuenca, Ecuador, a beautiful town and her home until she attended nursing school in Quito, Ecuador. There, she met Jose Medina who became her true and everlasting love. They married in February 1963, and soon after, they moved to the United States. They first settled in St. Paul, Minnesota so Jose could continue his medical training at the University of Minnesota. At that time, Laura worked as a nurse in the hospital, where she especially loved caring for babies in the NICU. They would both look back fondly at their time in Minnesota where they experienced snowy winters for the first time. After Jose finished his training in Minnesota, they moved to Colorado and then to Oklahoma, where together they raised four children, Lauri, Joe, Patricia, and Steven. Jose and Laura celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary shortly before Jose predeceased her. Laura was a devoted wife, mother, and daughter. When Jose worked long days and nights at the hospital, she was always ready with a warm meal and would sit with him so they could talk about their days. When he worked weekends, she took the children to visit him in the cafeteria for lunch, ensuring the family was always together. She welcomed Jose's family when they visited from Ecuador and cared for her mother who lived with the family as well. She was a tireless volunteer for her children's schools and in the community. She drove countless carpools, organized school parties, hosted pre-game meals for the Cascia Hall football team, and continued to support her children, nine grandchildren, and one great-grandchild in all their sporting and extracurricular endeavors. She embraced American traditions ranging from Friday night football to delicious Thanksgiving dinners, and she always decorated for the holidays. When she and Jose found free time, they loved to travel. They enjoyed cruises and warm beaches, and they toured the capitals of Europe together, but most of all, they loved each other's company and seemed to never want to leave the other's side. She is remembered by many as a kind and elegant lady, who always welcomed visitors and was devoted to her friends. Laura will be remembered by her children and their spouses, Lisa (Peters), Brian Collins, and Kelly (Reel), for her unconditional love toward them. Her nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild made her smile and laugh, and she loved holding them as babies and was always running and playing with them outside as they grew older. Her legacy will be these younger generations - grandchildren Jessica and her husband Seth Schuster, Joey, Nick, Chris, Logan, Kai, Kiana, Ashley, and Alex, and great-grandchild Adam. Visitation will be at St. Rita Chapel at Cascia Hall Preparatory School, on Thursday, December 28 at 5:00 p.m., with the Rosary to follow at 6:00 p.m. The funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. at Christ the King Church, on Friday, December 29, followed by interment at Calvary Cemetery. Friends can honor Laura's memory with a contribution to Cascia Hall Preparatory School, the John 3:16 Mission, the Humane Society of Tulsa, or the Resonance Center for Women. Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel, 918-585-1151

Laura Medina

January 10, 1940 - December 14, 2023