Swetlana Laura Mayo

Swetlana Laura Mayo, a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away September 10, 2021. She was 91 years old.

Laura was born November 2, 1930, in Nikolsk, Russia in the region of Siberia. Her parents, Boris and Adelaide Procopenko, had homes and land there. Laura would often reminisce with fondness of the farmlands, animals, and fields there of white birch trees. Laura enjoyed her early childhood there with her two brothers, Gary and Serge. Later her family's life became too hard under the Stalin regime. She had to attend church and be baptized in secret. Her grandfather, who was a well-known philosopher at that time, began to write articles against the current regime. Laura's father was sent to a labor camp because of these writings. Laura remembered her father walking down the street to her when he was let out of the labor camp. She was four years old. After Laura's family's land and home were taken away from them, the family left Russia. Laura's father was born in Canada, so the family was allowed to leave as he was a British subject. Laura remembered leaving Russia on a train and being the only ones on that train. Laura and her family then traveled to China where they lived for six months. She enjoyed China and remembered going to a Chinese parade with red dragons. Laura then traveled by ship to Canada where she lived for 11 years. While in Canada, she lived on a farm and enjoyed ice skating on frozen ponds with her brothers. Her family then moved to Los Angeles, where she attended Alexander Hamilton High School, graduating in 1949. In high school, Laura was in the Zanderettes Service Club and said her favorite interests were going to football games and going on vacations. After high school, Laura attended Santa Monica City College in 1950. In college she was in the Future Teachers Club and was also a member of the Beta's. She graduated in 1951. While attending Santa Monica City College, Laura met the love of her life, Charles Henry Mayo in 1949. They were married on November 25, 1951, at the Holy Virgin Mary Orthodox Church in Hollywood, CA. Laura was devoted to her husband Charles, and they were married for 70 years.

Laura and Charles moved from Southern California to Petaluma in 1972. Laura and Charles loved to play tennis, and both excelled at the sport. They joined the Petaluma Tennis Association and La Cantera Tennis Club. Laura was on the women's doubles team and played with them for many years, winning many awards and trophies.

Laura was also a magnificent artist, painting beautiful rose oil paintings, as well as other paintings. She belonged to the Petaluma Art Association for many years and displayed her art at their functions. She won awards and acclaim for her many beautiful paintings.

Laura was a master gardener and was very talented at growing roses and many other flowers and plants. Her gardens were so breathtaking, she received many compliments and awards for her gardens and flowers. She was a member of the Petaluma Garden Club for many years.

Her love of gardening prompted her and her husband to open a plant nursery in Healdsburg, in 1981, called the Healdsburg Garden Center. They received special recognition for their nursery in the Healdsburg Tribune for beautifying the Healdsburg area downtown.

Laura loved Healdsburg and spent many summers with her family there in their cabin near the Russian River. Laura loved vacationing and even visited her homeland of Russia many years after leaving. She so enjoyed visiting her relatives whom she had not seen since her family left many years prior. She had a magnificent trip, visiting churches, palaces, and many art museums. While she was there, she saw a statue of Stalin being taken down in a park. That was significant to her because that was why her family had to leave so long ago.

Laura was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She had three daughters; Marie Mayo, Elise Kennedy, and Tamara Mayo Postal, three grandsons; Nolan and Colin Postal, and Adam Kennedy, and one great granddaughter, Tatiana Kennedy. Laura was devoted to her children and grandchildren. When speaking of her grandchildren she would say, "Everything that I do is for them." She often spoke of how her grandsons resembled her father, which made her so happy.

Mom, you are so greatly missed. We will cherish all the memories you gave us, and the time you spent with us. We learned so much from you and what you shared with us. We are who we are and have what we have now all because of you. Your devotion to your family brought joy and laughter to us for so many years.

You and Dad are together now in Heaven, and your special bond together remains. We miss you and love you so very much.

Laura is now laid to rest at Oak Mound Cemetery, Healdsburg, CA

Published in Healdsburg Tribune · May 22, 2023