Born in Colon Republic of Panama to mother, Odalia Del Carmen Villalobos and father, Roberto Enrique Miranda. She was raised by stepfather, Roy Richards. Laura was the third of six children. Including her there were five sisters and one brother, who went to Catholic school.

Laura met Basilio Santiago in August 1965, while he served with the U.S. Army. She married Basilio on May 7, 1966 at Fort Davis Chapel in the Canal Zone. Afterward they moved to Fort Kobbe (Howard Air Force Base) on the Pacific side of Panama. Their first daughter, Laura Jr., was born. She moved to Puerto Rico in October 1966 while Basilio went to Fort Campbell, Kentucky to join the 101st Airborne Division on their way to Vietnam.

Upon Basilio's return to Puerto Rico in 1968, they conceived their second daughter, Odalia. They moved to Orlando, Florida at the end of 1969. Her third daughter, Helena, was born in 1972.

They moved to Clermont, Florida at the beginning of 2000. A dedicated housewife, she handled the household while Basilio worked. Her hobbies were sewing, cooking, baking and her favorites were watching soap operas, movies, music and fashion.

Being diabetic, she endured several strokes, becoming paralyzed on one side of her body. After seven years, she left us to be with the Lord, Almighty. We are going to miss her but we know she is no longer suffering and is resting in peace. May God have mercy on her soul.

The service will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2020 at Becker Funeral Home located at 806 West Minneola Avenue, Clermont, Florida 34711. Family visitation is from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm and friends from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Mass will be at 7:00 pm as we celebrate her life as a wife, mother, sister and friend.