Laura Jeanne HOWARTH

LAURA JEANNE HOWARTH November 26, 1956 - November 22, 2023 Laura, passed away on Wednesday, November 22, ending a wonderful, challenging, ground-breaking and generous life. Laura was predeceased by her parents, Joyce and Jim; and her brother, Bob. She is survived by her brother, Gordon; much loved sister-in-law, Anne; and her nephew and nieces of whom she was so proud: Erika Brisson (Brad), Kiera (Jake), Jamie (Emily) and Megan (Jack). Laura was raised in a conventional North Toronto setting and from early on stood up to 'normal' wherever she saw it as unjust. At 13, Laura was challenged by the public library for signing out the Communist Manifesto. While working as a letter carrier, Laura refused to wear the supplied hat: 'Why can't I wear the same hat as a male mailman'. Laura thrived at a silver mine on the shores of Great Slave Lake, arranging for unapproved scotch to arrive from fictional convent in Edmonton. After Law school at Dalhousie, she became the legal aid attorney in Moosonee where she developed her passion for the rights of indigenous people. She then completed her MPA at Queen's to enter the world of policy working for Indigenous Affaires in Ottawa where she felt she could make a greater difference. Along the way she boycotted California Grapes, gave her food money to the striking Inco workers, and volunteered for Planned Parenthood (keep your rosaries off my ovaries). She always stuck up for those who were in need. Laura lived to see and experience the world. She backpacked from Beijing to Moscow with a month long stop in Mongolia, bartended in Scotland, and hiked through East Africa. Laura survived a debilitating stroke in June of 2011. Over the past decade, she remained stubbornly independent, compassionate for the well being of the support workers she depended on, and devoted to her family, her many friends and their families. The attention, kindness and compassion from all the staff at Parkside Long Term Care, Hamilton, was extraordinary. Thank you. Her ashes will be 'Blowin' in the Wind' on the waves of Georgian Bay near Honey Harbour. A celebration of Laura's life will be held in the New Year. In lieu of flowers - which Laura would have hated - donations to Planned Parenthood, Every Child Matters, a Charity of Your Choice, or a simple act of kindness directed at someone in need would all be appreciated.