Laura Williams

Laura Ella-Belle Williams

(nee Bapty) was the

youngest child of Dr. Walter

Bapty (Colonel, Canadian

Scottish) and Ella-Belle

Bapty (nee Lind). Laura

was predeceased by Harry

Bapty, Betty Prince, Dr.

Leonard Bapty and Anne

Bapty. Laura had a carefree time growing up in her

large family on Pemberton Avenue. She never forgot

the freedom of the streets and gardens that she and

the many other children in the neighbourhood

enjoyed in 1920s and 30s Victoria. She attended St.

Margaret’s School, Victoria High School and Victoria

College.

In 1948 Laura married David Ricardo Williams LLB

(d 1999). Shortly thereafter they moved, to

everyone’s dismay, across the Malahat to Duncan. In

1952 they moved to Gibbins Road, Laura’s home

until her death. Laura and David’s first date was a

tennis game. She liked to describe how David let her

win the first game but none ever after.

Laura and David raised, on the wrong side of the

tracks, (and sometimes on the tracks) Bruce,

Suzanne (Anton), Harry, Owen, and Jonathan.

Laura’s 18 grandchildren grew up running through

the same woods, fields and ponds which their

parents had loved as children. Her 2 greatgrandchildren

(and many others to follow) will do the

same.

Some of Laura’s happiest times were spent with

family and friends in her country garden set amongst

farm and forest. Even after 60 years of care, the

garden continues to evolve in its beauty. In the last

few years of her life, she took great pleasure in

seeing sheep back on the property.

Laura was always practical: A famous photo in the

local paper (1961) was captioned, 'Duncan lawyer

watches while wife rescues chickens from burning

barn'. That was the end of chicken farming.

Laura was always involved in her community. She

spent many years organizing dance at the Cowichan

music festival.

Laura’s interest in history was a constant in her life.

She received great satisfaction helping David

perform research and coming up with the names for

his books. Until the day she died, she was talking

about the camas meadows, the Garry oaks and the

families in the Victoria of her childhood.

Laura was a member of St Peter’s Quamichan

Anglican church for 62 years. She played tennis at

South Cowichan Lawn Tennis Club into her 80s.

Funeral Services were held for Laura on October 20

at 2:00 PM at St Peter’s Quamichan, 5800 Church

Road, Duncan BC.

FIRST MEMORIAL FUNERAL SERVICES