Laura Cormack

Laura Lani Bell Cormack, 82, passed away on November 21, 2025, in Provo, Utah. Born October 18, 1943, in Honolulu, Hawaii, Laura was the oldest child of Laura Lani Gartrell Bell and Melvin Kealoha Bell. She shared a lifelong bond with her younger brother, Melvin Kealoha Bell, Jr., affectionately known as “Bobo.” Following her parents’ divorce, both parents remarried and had additional children, and Laura became the oldest sister in a larger blended family.

Laura’s childhood took her from Honolulu to New Smyrna Beach, Florida, and Baltimore, Maryland, places she often spoke of and credited for shaping her resilience, perspective, and identity. Ever responsible and studious, she loved school and excelled. She attended Kaimuki High School, where she was remembered for her beauty, poise, and good grades. She pursued a wide range of interests in her youth, including dance, piano, volleyball, and judo.

In 1964, Laura married William A. Cormack. Though they later divorced, they were blessed with one daughter, Laura Kahealani, born in 1965. Laura devoted herself to motherhood throughout Kahealani’s life. In 1983, the same year Kahealani graduated from high school, Laura fulfilled her lifelong goal of earning a Bachelor of Accounting from the University of Hawaii. This achievement reflected a core part of who Laura was - focused, capable, and unwilling to abandon a worthy goal.

After graduation, Laura worked as a tax accountant at Hawaiian Trust Company, serving many of Hawaii’s most prominent families. Her work reflected her nature—organized, precise, ethical, and dependable. In 1987, she and her daughter moved to Utah, where she continued to build a life centered on her daughter and her faith.

Laura found her greatest joy and fulfillment when she became a proud and doting “Nana” to her grandsons, Joshua Ka’imipono and Jacob Keoni. Her love for them was constant, shown through her attentiveness, her interest in their activities, achievements, and challenges, and ensuring they had all they needed.

Laura was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and remained faithful throughout her life. She served in Primary, Relief Society, and leadership callings. She was known for her thoughtful, persistent ministering and for her generous community service, including support for food banks and those in need.

In every part of life, Laura is aptly described as intentional. Every action was measured, thoughtful, and organized. Her home reflected carefully chosen, meticulously well-cared-for earthly belongings and was decorated with pictures and remembrances of the Savior and her family. She was a gifted pianist and expressed herself through music with skill and reverence. She loved reading, walking, feeding birds, working in her yard, and caring for her beloved pets. She valued beauty, order, and purpose, and she offered those same gifts to the people she loved through meaningfully hand-written cards and letters, and through personalized gifts she wrapped and presented with aloha.

Laura is survived by her daughter, Laura Kahealani Jefferies (James); her grandsons, Joshua Ka’imipono Jefferies (Erica) and Jacob Keoni Jefferies; Melvin’s wife, Son Hui Bell; her nephew, Nicholas Kealoha Bell; and her blended siblings – Ed Haley, Janet Hickey, Sandra Koengeter, Robert Bell, Elaine Whitfield, John Bell, and Rita Mayer - cousins, and extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Provo Peak 2nd Ward Chapel, 965 North Locust Lane, Provo, Utah. A visitation will be held from 9:00-9:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment will follow at Eastlawn Memorial Hills, Provo. Condolences may be extended online at www.bergmortuary.com.

The family expresses heartfelt gratitude for the kindness, prayers, and support offered during this time. Laura’s life was one of steady goodness, purposeful love, and quiet faith. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.