Laurine Joyce Darwin

Laurine (aka: Laurie) Joyce Darwin was born in Winnipeg, Ontario in 1924. Her mother, Tillie, was a homemaker in Canwood, Saskatchewan (who also lived into her 90's). Her grandparents on both sides were from Norway. She grew up in Canada and was the oldest of seven siblings. She was fourteen when she left home to work as a maid for an orthodox Jewish family (the Shores) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan for about two years prior to WW2. She then moved to Vancouver, BC where her father, Lawrence Pedersen lived on his boat and made a living as a fisherman. She worked as a waitress until 1953 when she moved to Los Angeles, CA and married Lee Darwin. They had two children, Laura Jane and Lahna Susan. In 1963 they moved to Seattle, WA. She worked as a waitress in downtown Seattle for 20+ years at The Dublin House and at Rosillini's Other Place. She was widowed in 1978. She retired in the late 80's and worked as a nanny to two young children.

In her later years she lived in Carnation, WA in her beloved home with the big front porch. She loved to sit outside and have her tea and read her books. In the summer the July 4th parade went down her street and her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all looked forward to parade day. They could count on 'Gramma Treats' at her house.

She loved gardening and cooking lovely meals for family holidays and special occasions. She took every opportunity to visit the local garden centers to purchase new plants for the garden. Roses were her favorite. The Chrysler Imperial roses she planted in 1955 in her yard in Los Angeles are there to this day.

As a Christian, she loved her Saviour, Jesus. Her family is confident that she is resting in his arms now. Her favorite Bible verses were Jeremiah 29:11 and Ecclesiastes 3. She wrote "If this is my time, I'm ready. I'm blessed to have lived so long" (handwritten note dated Sept 6th 2015).

She is survived by her daughters, Laura Marshalsey and Lahna Darwin; her grandsons, Christopher and Steven Wallstrom; her granddaughter, Joelle Wallstrom; her great-granddaughters Lilyanne Wallstrom and Grace Wallstrom; her great-grandsons, William Wallstrom and Roman Wallstrom

Her last living sibling, Walter Hawksworth passed away one week prior to Laurine's passing.