Clara Laughing

Funeral services for Clara J. Laughing, 76, will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 15, at Good Shepard Mission, Fort Defiance. Rev. Eric Heidecker will officiate. Burial will be in family cemetery, Rabbitbrush. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Laughing died Sept. 7, 2010, in Fort Defiance. She was born Aug. 13, 1934, in Coal Mine, into the Black Streak of Forrest People Clan for the Red Running Into the Water People Clan. Laughing attended Intermountain Indian School, Utah. She was a babysitter and a domestic engineer for many years. Her hobbies included sewing and attending family functions. She enjoyed attending song and dance, Niida and Pow wows. Laughing loved to teach traditional culture to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Survivors include her husband, Justin Laughing; sons, Phillip Blackgoat of Helena, Mont., Ray Scott of Fort Defiance; daughters, Fannie Ahboah of Rabbitbrush, Louise Shirley of Coal Mine; brothers, George Etsitty, Tsosie Etsitty, Arviso Etsitty, all of Rabbitbrush; sister, Mae J. Spencer of Rabbitbrush; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren. Laughing was preceded in death by her parents, John and Alice Etsitty. Pallbearers will be Jeremy Ahboah, Cisco Nez, Cornelius Billie, Ross Spencer, other family members. The family will meet at Fort Defiance Chapter, following services. Arrangements are entrusted to: Cope Memorial Chapel 1830 Barbara Ave. Gallup, New Mexico 505-371-5565