Two La Jollans among Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary’s 12 ‘Women of Dedication’ for 2018

The Salvation Army Women of Dedication event, themed “Wonder Women,” turns 53 next year, and on Nov. 2, event chairs Kristy Gregg, Dee Ammon and Molly Cartmill hosted a reception at the La Jolla Country Club to reveal the 12 newest honorees.

The 2018 Women of Dedication are: Deborah Cross, Suzi Day, Laurnie Durisoe, Angela Harris, Dayna Hoff, Kimberly Hunt, Regina Kurtz, Sally Watt Oxley, Rana Sampson, Claudia Thompson, Vickie Turner and Kathryn Vaughn — Durisoe and Oxley are residents of La Jolla.

Beginning in 1965 as a fundraiser for The Salvation Army, the program goal was to honor influential women in the community. Each spring, The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary hosts a luncheon where the Women of Dedication are thanked for their gifts of time, talent and spirit. Tickets for the 2018 benefit (10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 30 at San Diego Marriott Marquis and Marina, 333 West Harbor Drive) are $125 at sandiego.salvationarmy.org

Laurnie Durisoe: Raised in La Mesa and a graduate of Grossmont High and San Diego State University, Durisoe has an impressive list of community involvement, including 25 years with the USO and 24 years as a Rotarian. In 2013, Rotary presented her with the District Governor’s Torchbearer Award and in 2014, she received the Walter Dewhurst Award from the Rotary Club of La Jolla.

She was one of the initial board members of Hospital Infantil de las Californias, and sits on the boards of the Center for World Music, La Jolla Village Merchants Association and San Diego Chapter of PATA. Durisoe is the owner of the Pantai Inn at 1003 Coast Blvd.

Sally Watt Oxley: Oxley grew up in Inglewood and Palos Verdes, where she sang in the choir of the Glass Church and was a candystriper at the Torrance Hospital, which sparked her love of volunteering. Over the years, she has championed the Girl Scouts of America, the City of Hope, the Trojan Club of San Diego, Trojan League Associates of San Diego, San Diego Crew Classic Stewards, Fairbanks Republican Women’s Federation, San Diego Center for Children, Kids Aid, Town and Gown Associates and USC Associates. Her relaxation, she said, is spending time with her husband, children and five grandchildren.