Obituary of Laura Long

Laura Long Laura was born September 15, 1918 on a homestead just north of Gadsby, Alberta to George and Hattie Nichols. Laura spent the first two years of her life on this homestead. At the age of two years, the family moved to the Castor area where they set up a farming operation just to the north edge of town. Following high school and prior to marriage, Laura worked as a night time switchboard operator at the local telephone office. On November 10, 1942, Laura married Ray Long from Veteran, Alberta. From 1942 to 1945, they lived on a farm a mile east of Veteran. In the spring of 1945, Laura and Ray set up home on a farm just east of Castor where Laura continued to live until September 2010. She then moved for one year to the Paintearth Lodge in Castor. In November 2011 Laura moved to the Prairie Rose Assisted Living in Coronation, where she remained until December 2013. Laura then moved to the Castor Extendicare where she resided until her passing. Surrounded by her devoted family, Laura left us in body on January 21, 2018 but will remain forever in our hearts and memories. Laura devoted her life to her family. She had a great love of children. She will always be remembered for providing a home filled with love, laughter, song and a genuine concern for each other. Laura was a very kind, thoughtful and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was always very welcoming to friends and neighbors. Laura was a very compassionate person who generously donated to a variety of charitable organizations…especially to those organizations that helped the less fortunate. Mother enjoyed baking, cooking and gardening to help keep her large family well fed. She also had a great love of flowers. Mother used to tell us stories of the “early years” when she was a catcher on a softball team and her experiences as a Girl Guide Leader. Laura leaves to mourn her passing, her ten children, Theresa (Richard) Kennedy of Edmonton, Betty (Howard) Kennedy of Edmonton, Walter of Edmonton, Phyllis LaChance of Edmonton, Ken of Castor, Eunice (Wim) Fritsma of Grande Prairie, Maureen (John) Colistro of Edmonton, Charles (Maria) of Edmonton, Dolores (Ken) Scott of St. Albert and Bob (Maureen) of Coronation and 1 sister in law Evelyn Long; 21 grandchildren, Laureen Kennedy, Kevin (Shannon) Kennedy and children, Kieran, Christopher and Brendan; Wayne (Cathy) Kennedy and children, Andrew and Ryan; Scott (Ann-Marie) Kennedy and children Jonas and Samuel; Gerald LaChance; Nicole (Anthony) Narsing and children, Nicholas, Brandon, Eric, Christian and Cameron; Russel LaChance, and children Olivia and Ava; Trevor (Gina) Fritsma; Corrine Brown (James Kemp) and children, Curtis, Camron and Kyle; Ralph (Melanie) Colistra and children, Jacob and Eric; Melissa (Mark) Belliveau and children Grayson and Brooklyn; Matthew (Kathleen) Long; Jordan Long; Kathryn Long; Kimberly Scott (Kerry Alchin); Bradley (Heidi) Scott and children, Penelope and Calvin; Shelley (Alex) Parker and child Elijah; Janine Scott; Geoff (Gelasia) Long and children, Kalissa and Lailynn; Kirsten (Ryan) Shead and children, Chloe and Trent; Carmen Long (Mike Park). Family would like to thank the staff of Paintearth Lodge, Prairie Rose Assisted Living and Castor Extendicare who gave mother so much love and attention. September 15, 1918 ~ January 21, 2018 Laura is survived by her children: Walter, Ken, Bob (Maureen), Charles (Maria), Theresa (Richard) Kennedy, Betty (Howard) Kennedy, Phyllis Lachance, Eunice (Wim) Fritsma, Maureen (John) Colistro and Dolores (Ken) Scott; 21 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; sister in law Evelyn Long; nieces, nephews, other family and friends. Prayer Vigil Friday, January 26, 2018 ~ 7:00 PM Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church Castor, Alberta Funeral Service Saturday, January 27, 2018 ~ 1:00 P.M. Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church Castor, Alberta In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Alberta Cancer Foundation, OLRH Foundation Extended Care or a charity of your own choice. Parkview Funeral Chapels & Crematorium 403-882-3141 or 403-578-3777 “Every Life Lived Is Worthy of a Celebration” Dean Ross Verna Rock Corinne Adair Calvin Blauel Shannon Shirley www.parkviewfuneralchapels.com