O’ REILLY, Laura Ellen 1924 – 2017

Laura Ellen O’Reilly (Hagg), born at Vulcan on November 16, 1924, passed away at St. Michael’s Palliative Care Center in Lethbridge on October 16, 2017 at the age of 92 years.

Laura is survived by her son Bryon (partner Lynn) O’Reilly of Edmonton, daughter Margo (Tom) Ellis of Champion, grandchildren Harry (Rhonda) O’ Reilly of Calgary, Brock (Amanda) Ellis of Champion, Darrell (Jayme) Ellis of Lethbridge and LaRae Ellis of Edmonton, seven great grandchildren, older brother Howard (Lorraine) Hagg, brothers-in-law Bill (Anne) and Norman (Deloris), sister-in-law Linda, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Laura was predeceased by her husband Jim, daughter Barbara, four brothers-in-law, three sisters-in-law, and parents Otto and Anna Hagg.

Mom attended grades 1, 2 and 3 at the Fireguard School west of Champion. The remaining grades (4-9) were taken at Boyne School, just across the field from the farm if she walked, or 2 miles if she rode the horse around on the road. Some days, during the winter months and due to the bitter cold and deep snow drifts, the school children were driven using the horse and sleigh, and sometimes one neighbor would pick up the other neighbor children along the way.

After attending High School in Vulcan, Mom attended Henderson Business College in Calgary to take a Secretarial course. After completion of the course, her first job was at the Vulcan Airport, also just across the field from the farm. While working at NO. 2 F.I.S. (Flight Instructor School) training station as a civilian secretary, she met Dad who also happened to be stationed there. Mom and Dad were married on May 4, 1945 in Calgary at the Central United Church.

In the early years, Dad was stationed at Labrador, which at the time was considered to be overseas, then they would be transferred to Moncton, New Brunswick. By the end of August 1945, they moved to Vancouver, B.C. where they stayed until they moved back to Kirkcaldy in 1948. In 1953, Mom and Dad moved into Vulcan where Mom lived until 2008. After moving back to Vulcan, Mom worked for the Gordon Brown Chartered Accountant, for the first 4 months of the year to help with Income Tax season. She would later go on to work at the high school as the secretary for many years. In September 2008, Mom moved to Black Rock Terrace in Lethbridge where she enjoyed her many years of good friends and good care.

Retirement years for Mom were spent travelling, remaining active in many hobbies and later on, enjoying “trying to” play bridge (those are Mom’s words!). Family and friends brought joy and happiness to Mom, whether on the phone or in person. Her grandkids remember her as the smiling and laughing grandma that truly cherished any time spent with them.

We as a family will miss her support and encouragement of everything we did. She has left behind a legacy of love that her family will never forget and forever be thankful for.

Funeral Service Monday, October 23, 2017 at 1:30 pm at the Vulcan United Church, Interment Vulcan Cemetery.

If friends so desire, Tributes in Laura’s memory can be made to the Vulcan County Health & Wellness Foundation, Box 28, Vulcan, AB T0L 2B0.

Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences through www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca.