Laurie Ann Drews

Laurie Ann Drews, of Rogers, Ark., died of pancreatic cancer on Saturday, June 4, 2022, at the age of 88. Laurie spent the last week of her life receiving compassionate end of life care at the Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville, Ark. Laurie was born on August 10, 1933, in Pocatello, Idaho. She attended Oregon State University (OSU) in Corvallis, OR where she met, and later married Robert (Bob) D. Drews on June 7, 1953. After spending her early years in the Northwest, Laurie experienced life as a young Navy wife in the Philippines, and she and Bob and their two young daughters eventually settled in the Northern Virginia area. It was a great time and place to raise a family, living in the suburbs of Washington D.C. and everything it had to offer (not every family gets to have 4th of July picnics and fireworks on the National Mall every year!). In the late 1990's, Laurie and Bob moved to Northwest Arkansas, where they continued to enjoy boating, exploring Beaver Lake and becoming involved in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Laurie served on numerous committees and groups with the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and was very involved working with the local food bank through Oakley United Methodist Church. After her husband Bob passed away, she made the move to independent living at Village on the Park and made a whole new circle of friends. She was truly special and touched the lives of so many people. Laurie is survived by her children, Julie I. (Jim) Porter of Roanoke, Va., and Claire E. (Jim) Good of Bangor, ME; granddaughter Jennifer (Colby) Pemberton of Bentonville, Ark., and grandsons, Rob Porter and Matthew Porter of Roanoke, Va. Laurie is also survived by brother, Rob (Linda) McCutcheon of Crystal Lake, IL and sister Judy Oglesby of Huntsville, Ala., and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by beloved husband, Bob Drews and parents, Rob S. and Julia H. McCutcheon. Special thanks to granddaughter, Jennifer Pemberton whose deep devotion to her grandmother's happiness and well-being was endless, unselfish and enduring. In keeping with the wishes of the deceased, no memorial service or funeral is planned and private burial will be at the Fayetteville, Ark. National Cemetery. Memorials are suggested, in the memory of Laurie Drews to, Circle of Life MJC Hospice Home, 901 Jones Rd., Springdale, Ark., 72762, or https://nwacircleoflife.com/