Laurie Lynn Tinga

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Laurie Tinga who departed us peacefully in the early morning hours of Saturday, June 21 at Nanaimo General Hospital.

Predeceased in recent years by her parents Ted and Gloria Tinga, she is survived by her daughter Kelsey Wilson, brother Rob Tinga (Denise), sister Valerie Tinga and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Laurie was born in Comox but spent her formative years in Sayward, Port Hardy and Courtenay before moving with her family to Parksville. In later years she struck out on her own to live and work on the Mainland. Life was going well for her until that fateful day in 2005 when a ‘stray bullet’, from activity outside of her new condo, shattered her sliding glass door and penetrated her brain forever changing her young and happy life. We will always remember the strength, courage and long battle she fought to come back from almost certain death. Laurie was fiercely independent wanting to remain in the city but eventually was coaxed back to the island to be near family. In all the remaining years, while confined to a wheelchair, Laurie always displayed a cheery demeanour, loved telling jokes and never missed a chance wheeling down to the Rod & Gun to have lunch with family and friends.

The family would like to extend sincere thanks and much gratitude to the many doctors and nurses at Royal Columbian Hospital who brought Laurie back to us for a further 20 years and the care given to her in more recent times by local medical staff. Family and friends will miss our ‘one of a kind’ Laurie. May she rest in eternal peace.