Former independent representative dies Saturday at 63

Sylvia Laughter, a former representative from Kayenta, died Saturday.

The Senate and House Democratic caucuses announced Laughter’s death in a Monday news release. She was 63.

Laughter served in the state House of Representatives from 1999 to 2005 and is the only independent candidate to serve in the state House or Senate since Arizona was granted statehood in 1912. She initially served as a Democrat but often voted with the GOP before leaving the party in 2002 during her final term.

Reps. Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren, D-Red Mesa; Myron Tsosie, D-Chinle; and Sen. Theresa Hatathlie, D-Coalmine Mesa, issued the following statement about Laughter’s death:

“We are saddened to hear of the passing of Representative Sylvia Laughter. She worked tirelessly to represent her district and continued to make an impact in our community after her service in the Legislature. She was a true trailblazer for other Navajo women to serve in the Legislature. It’s heartbreaking to lose such a humble true Diné Asdzání Naat’áanii. We send our deepest condolences and prayers of comfort to her family and loved ones.”

Hatathlie said she was a clan relative of Laughter and was heartbroken when she learned of her death.

“It’s unfortunate that she’s no longer with us. But while she was here, she certainly made an impact. And that impact will carry us forward and she will always be remembered as a wonderful and strong leader,” Hatathlie said Monday.

Laughter had a large influence on creating the Navajo Code Talker Memorial. In 2003, she introduced legislation to create the Navajo Code Talker Memorial Foundation. The foundation would go on to raise funds to build a monument at Wesley Bolin Plaza in 2008. The monument honors Navajo World War II veterans who transmitted secret radio messages using code based on the Navajo language.

She also remained active on the Navajo Nation after her service in the Legislature as a private consultant and helped secure the new building for the Navajo Radio Station.

According to a GoFundMe post from Laughter’s surviving daughters Tasha Vlock and Nikki Guminiak, she was experiencing Covid complications for 10 months before her death. All donations collected will go to Laughter’s funeral, burial and memorial costs.

“She was a beautiful singer, a graduate of (Brigham Young University), a State Representative for her Navajo Nation, a faithful Christian, single mother and wonderful Grandmother. She was the strongest woman we knew, an inspiration and advocate for freedom and truth. She had many hobbies, one of which was thrifting and chalk painting beautiful furniture. We love and miss her so much,” Vlock and Guminiak wrote.

Laughter’s survivors include Vlock, Guminiak and seven sisters. She will be buried in Mesa.