Laura Bottaro Costner

Laura Bottaro Costner passed away at Grossmont Hospital La Mesa from a sudden onset of Breast Cancer returning. This had been a 25+ year fight, so very quick at the end. Less than two weeks.

Laura was born in Massachusetts to James and Rita Bottaro. She is survived by husband, John Costner, friends and lovers for 54 years, married for 19 wonderful years. Also survived by Laura's brother Mike and his wife Claire, Nephew Lacius Bottaro, nieces Rachel, Jessica and loving group of grand nephews and nieces.

Laura grew up in Anaheim, California. They met at Disneyland Carnation on Main Street. John at the soda fountain, Laura as a waitress. She caught his eye, she had such a great smile and beautiful auburn red hair.

They were engaged in the summer of 1965 where both studied at Fullerton Junior College. John joined the Navy in 1966. The engagement ended later in 1967. Laura went on to get her Bachelor of Arts from Long Beach State that same year. Her next step up, Master of Arts, in 1973 also from Long Beach State. Majoring in Political Science and a Credential in Community College Instructor. Laura became a world traveler, much in Europe and the Mediterranean. Always moving forward. She became a Stock Broker at Merrill Lynch, one of a small group of women to be

the first female Stock Brokers. In her return to San Diego she worked for MetLife Resources, also being a Certified Financial Planner until her retirement.

John and Laura reconnected in 2000, both had been married to others. The door flew open. We courted briefly and were married October 1, 2005 on the beach at Coronado. Honeymooned in the south of France.

Her hobbies included reading (British Mysteries), cooking, baking (great apple pies!) genealogy and most importantly gardening. Laura's garden is a very special English Garden Concept considering El Cajon’s climate. So beautiful, green and flowering. Laura's touch surrounds our beautiful home. Her interior design goes throughout the house.

Laura was known for moving forward one step at a time, no task was too large for her to reconcile.

Laura's love and care for animals was ever expanding. Our indoor cat Katie. Wild bunny rabbits she hand fed in the garden. She always made sure there was enough lettuce for them all. So enjoyable, the view.

Laura’s morning coffee... toast with a slice of cheese, lite lunch, an apple, cheese and chips, protein! A great gourmet dinner every night courtesy of Laura & Johns cooking skills. Then there was her glass of wine, Sauvignon Blanc or Merlot, depending on the dinner served.

You will be in our garden, in my heart for the rest of my days. We all love you and will miss you always!! John Stanton Costner... your husband

TO LAURA AND JOHN

It started on Main Street in Matterhorn City

John served ice cream with Laura and inspired this ditty. He liked her big smile, she thought him handsome and funny Tucked away in his bag, a familiar pearl ring.

Soon they were sharing fudge sundaes, calling each other "honey."

And all of their lives took on a new luster.

Still fit on her finger and made her eyes sting.

Miss Penelope was soon sharing lodgings with Buster.

They cruised in his Vette with the radio blaring.

"Tie Me Kangaroo Down," oh those times were so daring!

Stan and Jim became friends, as did Dorothea and Rita,

The parents played poker 'till dawn, and they sure love-a to eat-a.

A pearl ring was given on Mulholland Drive The romance was blooming in 1965.

There was a dawn trip to Vegas, John's dad thought they'd elope, Then a diamond showed up with expectations and hope.

But the timing was wrong, and despite sadness and tears, Each had journeys to make for the next forty years.

John served in Da Nang as a surgical tech.

Laura loved Europe and went there for a trek.

Laura traveled all over and moved back to Long Beach.

Where she signed up for grad school and married her teach.

John married and found someone calling him dad.

Lisa, the best daughter and friend he could ever have had.

Laura moved north to try something new.

And John found her in Portland in two thousand two.

But wait, I'm ahead of myself, let me backup a minute, I skipped over some sad times and a funeral visit.

Laura came to pay her respects when John's mother died But she saw John only once 'cause the flu had her fried.

Rita died two years later, then, as if by design,

A court clerk told Laura there were papers that Stan had to sign.

John came along with his father and Laura was glad So the three took a road trip and Cupid went mad.

The flames were rekindled, their hearts were aflutter, Then Laura found out the court clerk was a nutter.

Stan didn't need to sign papers, he could have stayed home,

But he went; that's why we're all here and I'm reading this poem.

Was the reunion just lucky, Il]ce rolling a seven?

Or were Dorothea and Rita pulling strings up in heaven?

John returned the next weekend, on lus cobalt blue Harley, And gave Laura a ride that was pretty darn gnarly.

They went back to Main Street to rece,ž3J how they met And looked back on their lives without any regret.

Now everyone knows that a conflict or two

Can give romance more spice, and for these two that's true.

John likes to camp beneath azure blue sky.

But Laura would rather poke sticks in her eye.

Laura likes a good bistro with a nouvelle motif,

But John looks at the entre and says, "Where's the beef?'

They're perfectly matched for each other, I'd say,

They've made there own journeys to meet here his day.

Love came back to two people who have changed over time And we're reaching the end of my little rhyme.

Now 40 years after they said, 'You're the one,"

They finally got hitched and I say, ''Well done!"

Love, your cousin, Pam (and Chuck, Rebecca, Aunt Inez and Uncle Al)