Laura's maternal Grandmother—Adeline Beatrice Calabro Turtur Van Dyke—inspired and encouraged her to create Party PleaZers.
Mrs. Turtur Van Dyke was among those few women fortunate enough to attend college in 1930, graduating Pratt Institute with a degree in Dress Design. She then worked at Bergdorf Goodman in New York City until 1937, when she married and selflessly sacrificed her professional career to raise her family.
Mrs. Turtur Van Dyke was a humble person, spending her time enhancing the lives of those around her with her talents as a seamstress and artist until her death at age 90 in 2002.
Laura and her Aunt, Mrs. Pamela Kimak, Director of Lakeshore Gallery in Bolton Landing, New York, located steps off nearby Lake George, collaborated to bring us their beloved Addy's Heirs artwork through note cards and stationery.
