It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of our beloved, courageous, and beautiful daughter, Laurie, on the afternoon of July 15, 2023 after an 18 month battle with colorectal cancer.
Laurie was a kind and generous young woman who wanted to make things better for the world around her. Even as a child, she asked her birthday party guests to donate to the WWF instead of bringing her gifts. She was an avid artist with a creative mind and eye and had a passion for movies. She loved skating, Christmas, animals, and children, and found joy in the little things like sitting at the beach and listening to the waves, being with family, and cuddling with her pets.
Her main goal in life was to get married, have children, and live on a farm. Specifically, a farm with cows, chickens, ducks, a donkey, and a goose. (And of course she would also have at least one dog and one cat!)
When she first went to post secondary school and was trying to find her calling, she thought she might like to get into the film industry (production design, specifically); even then, she wanted to make films that would make a difference, highlighting peoples’ struggles and resilience. Later, she switched to psychology, with a longer term goal to go into law with the goal of being a human rights lawyer.
When she was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal cancer, her priorities shifted and she realised that she really wanted to spend her time with children, so she decided she wanted to be a teacher.
Children and animals loved her and were naturally drawn to her. They could feel her generosity, patience and kindness. And she was kind — she was a friend to everyone, even if they were not a friend to her. She made people around her feel better, just by being herself. The world has truly lost such a beautiful soul, and we are lesser for it.
She struggled for so long with her disease and she is now at peace, but she has left behind to grieve her: her parents, Heather and Colin, her sisters, Emily and Kate, her grandparents, Robert Johnston, Sarah Johnston, Peter and Vera Bridge, and her pets, Buzz and Sable. Also her aunts and uncles, Susan Collerman, Mary (Ray) Pedersen, Robyn Johnston (Darryl Reser), Andrew Bridge, and David (Elena) Bridge. And her cousins: Jared Collerman, Joel Collerman, Kirsten (Wynn) Semple, and Haley Reser. And so many friends.
Thank you so much to Dr. Sasha Smiljanic and the staff at the Lion’s Gate Hospital chemotherapy clinic, and to Drs. Jennifer Walker and Mei Wen and the staff at the Palliative Care Unit at Lion’s Gate Hospital. Laurie received such wonderful care there. Thank you to Dr. Natalia Levental for providing Laurie, and her family, such dedicated care throughout this journey.
Also thank you to Citadel Law for helping support her through this entire journey. We are so appreciative.
If you want to honour her, you may make a donation to your favourite animal charity in her name.
There will be a celebration of life to follow. Please contact the family if you are interested in attending.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.11.3