Lawrence Wreden Liston
Nov. 4, 1935-May 16, 2026
Palo Alto, California
Lawrence “Laurie” Liston passed away peacefully at the age of 90, two years after he was diagnosed with leukemia. Laurie was born in Palo Alto to Dr. Edward Liston, an English immigrant and early family practitioner at the Palo Alto Medical Clinic, and Anita von Husen Liston, a third generation Californian of German and Russian heritage. Laurie was the fourth of five children who grew up on Hamilton Avenue. He rode his bike to St. Joseph’s School in Menlo Park, and attended Palo Alto High School, graduating in 1953. He then graduated from USC in 1957 with a BA in sociology.
At Paly, Laurie met Joanna Morrison on a blind date in the fall of 1952. They were married in 1958 and, after a short stint in Philadelphia, they spent nearly 68 years together in the Bay Area, first in San Francisco, then in Los Altos as they adopted three children, and finally in Palo Alto. They always enjoyed hosting family, international students, and friends from around the world. Laurie was chauffeur and porter to the family on annual vacations around the state, the country, and abroad. He loved it when his children and the family dog met him at the North California Avenue train station after his daily commute into the City.
When grandchildren arrived Laurie spent cherished time with them at the beach in California and Hawaii, in the Sierra Nevada, and at their home in Palo Alto.
Laurie and Joanna moved to Channing House in 2013 and while Joanna organized many activities, Laurie enjoyed building up the community of residents and staff through his kind words, genuine smile, and gentle sense of humor.
When asked what he did for a living, Laurie always answered, “I give away money.” He began his professional career as a banker at American Trust, later Wells Fargo Bank, in San Francisco. Over his thirty years in retail and corporate finance Laurie took pride in serving the community by helping local businesses and individuals achieve their goals. His professional activities extended to a life-long commitment to Palo Alto Rotary and service on various boards, including two decades chairing the board of Alta Mesa Memorial Park.
Laurie was an avid fisherman and duck hunter, an occasional bridge player, and a fearsome poker and domino player as a member of the Palo Alto Club. He also enjoyed participating in the Fellowship Forum, and his association with Boy Scout Troop 57 extended from his own boyhood through his sons’ time in Scouting.
An altar boy at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Palo Alto as a youth, Laurie later made Menlo Park Presbyterian Church the family’s faith home. He was a long-time participant in a men’s Bible study there and he and Joanna served together as deacons. Most recently, Laurie and Joanna enjoyed the worship and fellowship at New Community Church in Menlo Park.
Laurie is survived by his beloved wife Joanna; his children Stephen Liston (Susan) of Madrid, Spain and Carolyn Watts (Jeramie) of Benicia; his brothers Robert Liston of Los Altos and Jim Liston of Portland, Oregon; and nine grandchildren: David (Stephanie), Elizabeth, Anna, Grace, Joshua, William, Tessa, Michael, and Landon. He was preceded in death by his sister Carolyn Perry, brother Ted Liston, and son Michael.
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