Laraine Ruth Leudy

Laraine Ruth Leudy was a happy daughter and a loyal sister who grew up enjoying the life that her parents tried so hard to provide. Splashing in the waters at the summer cottage rentals at wonderful beaches all over Ontario; roller skating and shopping downtown Grand Bend with friends she was allowed to bring on vacation.

As she got a bit older, she loved to visit her uncle's farm with her sister Linda and always with an adventure in her mind, she loved to ride the workhorses.

Laraine started to work after she finished school, around the age of 17. She had a knack for office work and accounting and most of the work in her career was related to this in some way. She was proficient, neat, and always a hard worker; happy to do her best and well-respected because of her commitment to doing a good job. She even won a trip to Acapulco once for being such a valued worker.

She was always a devoted friend, instigating all kinds of memorable times: Vegas trips, road trips and being groupies for the Chaparelles, a popular country band in her 20's.

She became a committed wife, a dedicated and proud mother and eventually also became a delighted grandmother to three perfect angels. This family was truly special. The family became her most important reason for being.

She could have been no more committed to anything in life, as she was as a mother. Riverside park walks, collecting chestnuts, and picnic lunches followed by kite flying. Weekends were usually filled with some kind of shopping, always with Jason in tow. They would of course start by taking whatever back roads there were to try to catch a glimpse of the hawks...she never had directions to get where she was going, she just figured there would be signs, and was happy to wing it. Weekends were rounded out with a great family meal and a good washing of Jason's hair - then she would curl it for him, while he would itch to get away.

A very proud mother to Jason always, she was happy to encourage his involvement in all kinds of sports and activities. She kept newspaper clippings of all of his little accomplishments and highlights. Pride sparkled in her eyes when he blew his nose...imagine how she was feeling when he received the special coach's award in high school (an award based on good manners and respecting elders). Then he moved on to university and became a teacher. Laraine felt good about this; she had done her job right! When Jason married Jen, she thought her pride could grow no more.

She had raised the perfect son; the perfect man. No one would ever tell her different. And so, she began to indulge in some of the adventures she had been dreaming about. Day trips to the casino, always taking the back roads to enjoy the scenery, evenings with Linda on the porch of the duplex they shared. "Linda the neat freak" as Laraine called her, and "Laraine the slob" as she was called back. There was no middle ground.

She enjoyed a great road trip with Jen and Jason to PEI to explore the beaches. She dreamed of many more road trips with them, but then, there was a whole new dream come true: GRANDCHILDREN. Laraine couldn't be more excited to share amazing moments, experiences, and adventures with them.

Katie Bug, Andrew, and Max Rooster MaGooster were blessed little gifts. She was thrilled to craft for them and with them. She took them out on little adventures, to feed the reindeer or shopping for back to school. Laraine valued those special days that she planned for each of the wonderful little individuals that she was proud to call her JOY.

Her specialty as a grandmother was Halloween costumes. Laraine loved Halloween, and you could see the joy on her face when she was involved in the antics of the day! That witch nose will never be forgotten, her broom, her clown costume...she was always dressed to the max! She was thrilled to be able to create costumes with and for the kids. A time when she could bring imagination to life!

In the middle of all of the fun she was having, she came upon some difficulty with her health which forced her to retire. Pain diminished the adventurer in her heart and she came to enjoy things closer to home.

The Young and the Restless was always on the bill. A little Abbott/Newman rivalry to keep her interested. She lost herself in the real life stories on TLC, and kept her mind sharp with Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. She filled her heart with groove when she watched Dancing with the Stars, and imagined all of the creations she would make when she was inspired by the cooking shows on the Food Network. She had so many shows to watch that her PVR was usually filled to 95%.

She got out occasionally, with a trip to the Casino, and if she wasn't home in a timely fashion, Linda would be giving her heck for not checking in. Jen and Jason would always hear about how Linda was checking up on her, when SHE was the big sister! It was all with good intention though, they checked up on each other. A 10am morning phone call every day would catch them up about what they had encountered on the previous day, and what was on the list of things to do today.

She was a wonderful mother who made her son and grandchildren each feel their own special bond with her. Her love was endless.

Let that feeling be her gift to you; that feeling of being special in a bustling world. Let that gift inspire you to treat people in your life the same way. Take time to enjoy the simple moments, and create special memories.

Laraine Ruth Leudy passed away on July 10, 2017. She will be missed.

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Age 70, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Monday, July 10, 2017. She was a kind, caring, and sensitive woman who will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Laraine enjoyed sewing, knitting, and creating crafts, and she really loved to dance. Laraine will be forever loved and remembered by her son Jason Leudy and his wife Jennifer, her grandchildren -- or “sweet angels” as she called them -- Katherine, Andrew, and Maxwell Leudy, her sister Linda Morlock, and her nieces Rachel Pernu and Kelly Morlock. Laraine was predeceased by her parents, Earl and Lilian Fisher. Friends and relatives are invited to a Visitation on Friday, July 14, 2017 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at Barthel Funeral Home (566 Queenston Road, Cambridge), followed by a Memorial Service at 12:00 pm in the funeral home’s chapel. As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to St. Mary’s Hospital.