Laura Thornton Boellaard Harrison, 101, died at Azalea Trace in Pensacola, FL, on Sunday, December 31, 2017.

Laura was born in Pensacola on June 9, 1916, the first of three children born to Jan Willem Boellaard and Cora Louise Simpson Boellaard. At the age of four, she moved with her family to the Netherlands where she spent most of the next twenty six years. While working for a Dutch law firm in Paris, France, Laura met Edward H. Harrison, a chaplain with the 94 ^th Infantry Div., US Army. They were married on June 6, 1945, at the American Cathedral in Paris, France. Upon their return to the United States in 1946, Laura and Edward settled in Atlantic Beach, FL where Edward served as Rector of St Paul's-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, Jacksonville Beach, FL. Their four children were born during this time. During Edward's ministry, the Harrison family lived in Chagrin Falls, OH, Jackson, MS, and Ft. Walton Beach, FL, with Edward and Laura returning to Pensacola in 1974 to serve at Christ Church.

Laura's parents, siblings, and husband preceded her in death.

Laura is survived by her four children, Laura H. Grimm (Dick), Helena H. Harrison, Edward H. Harrison (Teresa), and George B. Harrison (Jean). She is also survived by her grandchildren David Grimm, Ashley Self (Karl), Austin Harrison (Allison), Sarah Brumfield (Conor), Daniel Harrison (Kelly), and Spencer Harrison. She was the proud great-grandmother of Abby and Jack Self, Charlie Brumfield, Stone and Eliza Harrison, and delighted to be expecting two more great-grandchildren in January and February 2018.

A Memorial Service will be held 2:00pm Saturday, January 6, 2018 at Christ Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Wilmer Hall Children's Home, 3811 Old Shell Road, Mobile, AL 36608 or Beckwith Camp and Conference Center, 10400 Beckwith Lane, Fairhope, AL 36532 or to the charity of your choice.

The family is grateful to all the staff at Azalea Trace who helped their mother enjoy the past seventeen years of her life, the devoted companionship of Betty Tolbert, Tammy Harris, and Angela Harrell this past year, and the compassionate care of Emerald Coast Hospice.