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BORN
02/18/1938
DIED
10/07/2024
Roberta LAUGHLAND Obituary
LAUGHLAND, Roberta Mae
February 18, 1938 - October 7, 2024
Roberta Mae Laughland passed away on October 7, 2024, at the age of 86 years. Roberta is survived by her loving husband Gordon (married 67 years) and daughters Karen (Karl), Sandy (Bill) and Dianne (daughters Kayley, Madison and Julianne).
Roberta was born on a remote farm as the middle daughter in a family of five girls (Dolores, Pat, Roberta, Kathy, and Marg), growing up in Avonlea and Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan. Her parents, Jim and Sybil Hayes, were unique individuals with a keen interest in nature, raising five intelligent, independent, feisty girls who eventually resided all across Canada. Later in life, the sisters regularly travelled together internationally on extended, laughter-filled "sisters trips."
Gordon and Roberta married in the historic St. Peter's Anglican Church in Qu'Appelle in 1957. They lived in Regina for a few years before moving to Saskatoon, where they started a family. Roberta was a skilled homemaker, and her daughters still marvel at her expertise in gardening, cooking, canning, and sewing (even making tiny Barbie clothes) while caring for three girls. The family moved to Vancouver in 1970, residing in Tsawwassen. Living on the West Coast was a revelation for Roberta, who loved visiting the beaches of Boundary Bay or Point Roberts several times a week.
Gordon built a Whistler ski cabin when the girls were teenagers, and the family spent all their weekends and holidays together, often with friends and boyfriends in tow. Whistler was a special place for Roberta, who loved the changes of season and long walks in the woods.
Roberta loved to travel with Gordon or her daughters and family, particularly to Maui, where they made an annual pilgrimage in November. Keawakapu Beach was a favourite, where she would meet up with her Maui friends, walk the beach and swim in the ocean for hours. Many girls-only trips to Mexico were taken by Roberta and her daughters.
Roberta played an active role in the lives of her daughters and granddaughters, providing an excellent sounding board and good advice. She communicated almost daily with her granddaughters, with frequent visits after they moved to California.
Roberta was an avid reader of all genres, reading over 70 books a year and a member of several book clubs. She had a great sense of humour and was very engaged with world news and current events, yielding stimulating and often very funny conversations.
Roberta was very proud of her family, and all gathered together as frequently as possible, often in the backyard for barbecues with a spritzer in hand. She enjoyed the neighbourhood get-togethers, including the Friday driveway happy hour. Roberta was the pillar of her family and instilled a strong sense of how to be a good person and citizen of the world. She will be greatly missed, but our memories of her as a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend will live on.
We are very grateful for the wonderful, supportive
neighbours in Chesapeake Landing. Also, a heartfelt thank you
to Fraser Health Palliative Care and the Irene Thomas Hospice.
February 18, 1938 - October 7, 2024
Roberta Mae Laughland passed away on October 7, 2024, at the age of 86 years. Roberta is survived by her loving husband Gordon (married 67 years) and daughters Karen (Karl), Sandy (Bill) and Dianne (daughters Kayley, Madison and Julianne).
Roberta was born on a remote farm as the middle daughter in a family of five girls (Dolores, Pat, Roberta, Kathy, and Marg), growing up in Avonlea and Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan. Her parents, Jim and Sybil Hayes, were unique individuals with a keen interest in nature, raising five intelligent, independent, feisty girls who eventually resided all across Canada. Later in life, the sisters regularly travelled together internationally on extended, laughter-filled "sisters trips."
Gordon and Roberta married in the historic St. Peter's Anglican Church in Qu'Appelle in 1957. They lived in Regina for a few years before moving to Saskatoon, where they started a family. Roberta was a skilled homemaker, and her daughters still marvel at her expertise in gardening, cooking, canning, and sewing (even making tiny Barbie clothes) while caring for three girls. The family moved to Vancouver in 1970, residing in Tsawwassen. Living on the West Coast was a revelation for Roberta, who loved visiting the beaches of Boundary Bay or Point Roberts several times a week.
Gordon built a Whistler ski cabin when the girls were teenagers, and the family spent all their weekends and holidays together, often with friends and boyfriends in tow. Whistler was a special place for Roberta, who loved the changes of season and long walks in the woods.
Roberta loved to travel with Gordon or her daughters and family, particularly to Maui, where they made an annual pilgrimage in November. Keawakapu Beach was a favourite, where she would meet up with her Maui friends, walk the beach and swim in the ocean for hours. Many girls-only trips to Mexico were taken by Roberta and her daughters.
Roberta played an active role in the lives of her daughters and granddaughters, providing an excellent sounding board and good advice. She communicated almost daily with her granddaughters, with frequent visits after they moved to California.
Roberta was an avid reader of all genres, reading over 70 books a year and a member of several book clubs. She had a great sense of humour and was very engaged with world news and current events, yielding stimulating and often very funny conversations.
Roberta was very proud of her family, and all gathered together as frequently as possible, often in the backyard for barbecues with a spritzer in hand. She enjoyed the neighbourhood get-togethers, including the Friday driveway happy hour. Roberta was the pillar of her family and instilled a strong sense of how to be a good person and citizen of the world. She will be greatly missed, but our memories of her as a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend will live on.
We are very grateful for the wonderful, supportive
neighbours in Chesapeake Landing. Also, a heartfelt thank you
to Fraser Health Palliative Care and the Irene Thomas Hospice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by Delta Optimist from Oct. 24 to Nov. 23, 2024.
