Laquita Maxine Durham

Laquita Durham, 84, of Palm Springs, CA passed away, surrounded by family, on August 16, 2017. She was born March 7, 1933 in Kennett, Missouri. She is pre-deceased by her parents and her late husband Robert Durham. Laquita was many things; a great mother, a rodeo queen, a daredevil water skier and in the 1960's, the first female financial vice president of Jacobs Engineering and Construction of Pasadena, CA. She traveled the world negotiating contracts for the company. When she retired she became an avid golfer and joined the Ladies Club of every golf course in Palm Springs taking on leadership roles. She was also proud of having her name used for her daughter's Inn, Casitas Laquita. Her name graced Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs from 1998 until 2016. Survivors include her daughter, Denise Roberson, daughter-in-law, Joanna Funaro, brother, Lendall Brooks and very special caregivers, Reno and Connie Diata. Services will be private. Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn Cathedral City.