July 23, 1953 – Sept. 19, 2016

Laurel Anne Ward passed away on Sept. 19 with her family by her side.

Lori was 63 years old and a resident of Burbank at the time of her death. She was born in Hollywood on July 23, 1953 and graduated from Crescenta Valley High School.

Lori previously owned The Three Trees Art Supply Store in Tujunga and was an accomplished artist in her own right. She moved on to work in special effects for the entertainment industry – she was one of the artists that created King Kong for Universal Studios Florida.

Lori was always thinking of others. Her volunteer work included helping at the Burbank Temporary Aid Center as well as serving as a sound tech for her church. She had a special love for animals and had fond memories of riding her horses.

Lori was a true fighter and one of the strongest people we have ever known. She received a lung transplant in 2014 but did not allow that to slow her down. She enjoyed mountain bike riding with her family and especially delighted in spending time with her grandchildren. Lori enjoyed a life-long passion for ballet and continued to dance throughout her battle with cancer.

Lori leaves behind John Ward, her beloved husband of 45 years; two sons and their spouses, Christian and Jennifer Ward, and Joshua and Leslie Ward, four grandchildren, and her dog, Jack. She is preceded in death by her father Robert Dickinson. She is survived by her mother Patricia Dickinson and her sister Pamela Stephens. Lori also leaves behind her stepmother Gerri Dickinson and two stepsisters Tracey Cawdrey and Lori Clark.

Lori will be remembered at a memorial service on Saturday Oct. 8 at the Burbank First United Methodist Church (700 N. Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank) at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org/give) in Lori’s memory.