Laurie was born to Ardis and Gordon Williams in Edmonton, Alberta on October 2, 1957. She was the eldest of 5 children, all born within fairly quick succession. Her childhood was spent growing up on an acreage outside Ardrossan, Alberta and spent countless memorable hours with her siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents in the immediate area. She attended school in Ardrossan, graduating High School in 1975.
She started her career working toward a business executive at Financial Life in Edmonton in 1975. The year after marrying Don in 1977, they moved to Winnipeg. Laurie worked for Imperial Life and became an executive secretary to a Monarch Life VP. She was not satisfied with this position and committed to night school to acquire her Certified Management Accountant designation in 1987. She started her accounting career at the fledgling Retail Accounting Department of Nygard International in 1982. In 1990, she took on the position of Controller for Mallabar Apparels. Bristol Aerospace provided the next challenge in 1991 and she working up to its Controller position by 1995. The pace and excitement of the fashion industry drew her back to a Department Manager position at Nygard International in 2000. She advanced her way through the organization and eventually become the Vice President of Merchandising and Operations toward the end of her 17 years there.
Throughout Laurie’s working life, continuing education was always a must. She convocated with a Certificate in Management from the University of Manitoba, acquired a Graduate Diploma in Management and was working on her Master of Business Administration from Athabasca University.
Laurie was an avid gardener and spent countless hours every year modifying the planting layouts at her home. For a number of years, she was able to enjoy the fruits of her labours creating a relaxing backyard oasis to watch her birds, squirrels and racoons. She always planted too many tomato plants but no one seemed to mind their bounty.
Her love of music was ever changing, initiating on Country and Western, grooving to rock in her teen years and slowly sliding into the Blues, Jazz and Classical in later years. The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra performances were a treat and seven trips to New Orleans for Jazzfest provided opportunities for an even wider appreciation of Live music.
She enjoyed the enrichment of travel, for business or pleasure, whether in North America or abroad. Special trips to Chicago, Newfoundland, San Francisco, South Africa, Peru, The Galapagos Islands, Great Britain, Continental Europe, the Middle East and the Asian subcontinent only confirmed how lucky she felt we were to have access to such diverse beauty throughout this world.
Laurie was very proud of the type of people her two sons, Ken and Aaron, had become. She savoured all of their successes and achievements. Family vacations and road trips with them were always interesting and their wit and humour always livened the experience for everyone.
Family and friends have always been supportive of Laurie throughout her life and that only proved more evident over the last year. Travelling and socializing with close friends strengthened those bonds and added to the richness and enjoyment of her life.
Laurie had expressed having no regrets, with nothing left undone or unseen. She had looked back and was proud of her accomplishments and the fine body of acquaintances she had had the pleasure to meet along the way.
The family would like to thank CancerCare Manitoba, and especially the doctors, nurses and support staff at HSC Ward GD4 for their passionate care during Laurie’s final days.
Laurie, Don, Ken and Aaron cannot express enough our deep heartfelt gratitude for the love and support we have received from our friends and family. Words cannot begin to communicate what this has meant to us.
Laurie has been cremated and a Celebration of Life service will be held at Thomson Funeral Home, located at 669 Broadway (Broadway and Sherbrook) in Winnipeg on Saturday, September 28 at 2:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, please give a donation to Manitoba CancerCare Manitoba.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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