Laguna Beach Local News

February 12, 1940 - November 25, 2023 By Danielle Purcell   It is with great sadness we announce that our beloved father, grandfather and friend, Neil Purcell Jr., has passed away peacefully in his home of a broken heart after the passing of his best friend, the love of his life and...

Patricia was born in Pasadena to US Navy Commander Andrew Morthland and his wife, Constance Morthland. They relocated to Laguna Beach, where Patricia graduated from Laguna Beach High School in 1956. As a teenager, Patricia was inspired by the music of Sam Cook and became a friend and local...

Elizabeth Ann Coleman (1936 – 2023) Laguna Beach has lost another inspiring and beloved teacher. Elizabeth Coleman passed away on Oct. 9, 2023, after a brief illness. Affectionately known as “Libby,” her birth was record-breaking for the biggest baby born in Ravenna, Ohio. Indeed, Libby was larger than life, a vibrant personality...

Gregory L. Heneghan: (1966 – 2023) Family, friends and the community lost an authentic original when Gregory “Henny” Heneghan died on Sept. 27, 2023. A California transplant who lived a life of adventure, Greg was guided in life by the values of hard work, kindness, strength of character, wisdom and...

Kathie Reynolds Housden (1933 - 2023) Laguna Beach has lost a beloved and inspiring educator, Kathie Reynolds Housden, who passed on Sept. 1, 2023, at age 90.   Kathie was born in Washington, D.C., in 1933, and her family moved to California when she was only six months old. During WWII, the family...

Andrea Nicol Drexelius (Dec. 5, 1965 – July 12, 2023) Andrea Nicol Drexelius passed from this life to the next on July 12, 2023, in Newport Beach, Calif., at the age of 57, after a brief and courageous battle with cancer. Andrea was born Dec. 5, 1965, in Laguna Beach, Calif., the...

Doris Fruman, 93, of Laguna Beach, died on Aug. 18 of covid-related complications.  Lover of Laguna Beach, art, opera, literature and travel, Doris began her nomadic life in New Rochelle, New York, on May 28, 1930. She was an accomplished student and athlete (class president and basketball team captain). Doris...

Elizabeth Ann O’Keefe (Lizzy), 39, of Truckee, Calif., passed away on June. 7, 2023, following a brief illness. Lizzy was born in Newport Beach at Hoag Hospital on Sept. 13, 1983, to Tom and Carol O’Keefe. She grew up in Laguna Beach and graduated from Laguna Beach High School...

Emily Amanda Normandin-Parker of Laguna Beach passed away on Saturday, August 12. She was 23. Emily was anything but ordinary. She was beautiful, empathetic, brave, smart, interesting, hilarious and extraordinary. She was a bright light, our Emily, and her life had just begun.   Emily was an exceptionally talented writer...