Laura Marie PETERSON

PETERSON, Laura Marie


'Hope is the thing with feathers,
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all.'
–Emily Dickenson

Laura Marie Peterson (nee Scott) was born in Isabella, Saskatchewan on November 27, 1913, raised in Strasbourg and died in London, Ontario on October 11, 2015, with her heart full of love and her soul full of thanks. Fitting that she died on Thanksgiving weekend.

Marie was a creature of this world and had no interest in leaving it. She possessed a mischievous wit, an inclusive warmth and an infectious joy for life. A throaty laugh bubbled out of her. She inspired the best in each person and made us all believe that we could accomplish anything. No party was as much fun if she wasn't there.

If she had another 102 years to live, she would fill them full of family, friends, good deeds, ideas, plays, books and laughter.

A phone message from Marie might alert us to immediately turn on Ben Heppner talking about Otello or a CBC interview by Eleanor Wachtel. She asked what books we were reading and read all the finalist novels for the Giller Prize.

Every summer Marie would take the family to a play at the Stratford Shakespearean Festival. She made boxes of sandwiches and cookies, a thermos of coffee and a pitcher of lemonade. We'd sit at a picnic table along the Avon River and discuss the play we were about to watch, each having been assigned specific roles to enact.

Marie was a born teacher and a teacher by profession. She enriched her family's lives right up until the end. Just the day before she died, her sons and their families gathered around her elegant table on Dufferin Avenue for hot turkey. There was spirited conversation, laughter and joy, just the way she liked it. Marie had adapted the story, 'The Rake's Progress' and changed the dismal ending to suit her inextinguishable optimism. Instead of dying a miserable death alone in a lunatic asylum, the Rake discovered that being kind and doing good deeds to others results in personal happiness and fulfillment. A moral to heed.

She was the belle of Strasbourg, adored by her parents and brother, Robert Scott. She enlivened the University of Saskatchewan where she earned her Arts degree. She enriched every community lucky enough to have her in it, whether charity, church, library, school, politics, book clubs or Canadian Club. When she fell in love with Clarence Peterson she threw her entire heart and soul into making him happy and raising three sons. After his death in 2009, she filled her life giving to others. She received the Queen's Jubilee medal for community service in 2012.

Each time her frail body faltered, her strong Prairie spirit kicked in. You can forgive her family for believing that she'd live forever. And for hoping so.

Many memories, many stories, many good times. No family gathering will ever be the same, but her spirit will live forever in our hearts.

She leaves her beloved sons, Jim (Heather), David (Shelley), Tim; her dear, dear grandchildren, Ben (Emilee), Chloe (Colton), Adam (Sabrina), Andrew and Krystyn and her precious great-grandsons, Luke, Henry and Drake.

Many thanks to Mike Cody for his diligent and loving care. Galia Brown, Michelle Kroonen, Vicky, Shelley Wang assisted Marie in every possible way. Thank you.

A private family service will be held. The celebration of Marie's life will be at 550 Dufferin Avenue on October 15, 2015, between 12:00 and 2:00 p.m.

Expressions of sympathy and donations to the London Public Library, in memory of Marie Peterson, may be made through London Cremation Services (519-672-0459, www.londoncremation.com)