Laura Jane (Williams) Gooch, of Okotoks, formerly of Arrowwood, passed away January 2, 2013 at High River Hospital at the age of 88 years.
Laura Jane, daughter of John and Oral Williams, was born on May 3, 1924 in Cove, Oregon. She moved to the Arrowwood area with her parents and two brothers, Jack and Dale, in 1928 where they made their home and started farming 5 miles SE of Arrowwood. They were also avid gardeners and Laura Jane often spoke of her mother’s huge garden.
Jack, Dale and Laura Jane all belonged to the Jr. U.F.A. and enjoyed many Saturday night dances in the old U.F.A. Hall on Main Street. She would reminisce about traveling by horse and sleigh, skiing down Little Axe Hill and on the McBride Place, ending with a hot supper of baked beans and brown bread, skating and swimming at the dam at House’s and at the flume, and picnics by the river. In the early Forties, Laura Jane worked for Burns as a payroll clerk, Harry Gooch also worked for Burns.
On. Nov.8, 1946, Laura Jane married Harry Gooch, son of Phillip and Clarissa Gooch. They lived in various places in the Arrowwood area and began farming her father’s land in 1951. It was at this time that they bought their first Thoroughbred racehorse, which ignited her love of horse racing. In 1960, they bought their farm 3 miles SW of Arrowwood where Laura Jane tended her own huge garden. After Harry passed away and the boys were grown and married, she continued to enjoy the horse races, her grandchildren, reading, bingo outings and traveling with her best friends, Phyllis Williams, Kay McInenly and Paulette Cochrane.
Laura Jane lived in her home on the farm until 2009, when she moved to the Peter Dawson Lodge in Vulcan. Then, in Oct. 2012, she moved to the Tudor Manor in Okotoks where she was so thrilled to have a room with a beautiful view of the mountains. She passed away in the High River Hospital on Jan.2, 2013 surrounded by her loving family.
Loving mother of sons and their families – Dale (Linda), Lloyd (Kim), Gordon (Terri) and Jerry (Val) Gooch, grandchildren Jason, Cory, Tyler (Julie), Courtney (Sheldon) and Sarah (Marc), great grandchildren Jared, Keziah, Veronica and Tanis.
Laura was predeceased by her parents Oral and John, husband Harry, brothers Jack and Dale and grand-daughter Karman Gooch.
Private Family Graveside service to be held Saturday, January 5, 2013 at the Vulcan Cemetery with Vaughn Manson officiating.
Tributes in Laura’s memory can be made to STARS, 1441 Aviation Park NE, Calgary, AB T2E 8M7 or Calgary Children’s Hospital, 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW, Calgary, AB T3B 6A8.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences through www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca.