On Sunday, June 22nd, our beloved mom Lori suffered a sudden stroke. Because of where it occurred in her brain, surgery wasn’t possible, and all we could do was hope for a miracle and focus on keeping her comfortable. Over the next few days, we stayed close by her side—holding her hand, singing to her, and telling her how deeply she was loved. On Wednesday evening, June 25th, with her children and her partner Richie surrounding her, she passed away peacefully at Boundary Trails Hospital. She was only 59 years old.

Our mom was the heart of a big, loving family. She was a devoted mother to six children, a proud and playful grandmother of four, and a cherished partner to Richie. She welcomed her children’s partners—Matthew and Jessica—into the family with open arms, treating them as her own. Her greatest joy was being surrounded by the people she loved, and she once said her happiest day would simply be “a chance to take another photo, with all my people together again.” At a family wedding last year, she was surrounded by many of those she held most dear—a moment of deep joy we’ll always be grateful for.

Beyond her role in our family, our mom was a gifted writer and a dedicated journalist, with a deep love for storytelling. She poured her heart into every article she wrote, believing that even the quietest corners of a small town held stories worth telling. Her words captured the spirit of the people around her, and she had a way of making the ordinary feel extraordinary. Her legacy lives on not just in what she wrote, but in the way she listened, noticed, and cared.

Her sudden passing has left us heartbroken and unprepared for the costs that come with saying goodbye. With family flying in from across the country and taking time away from work, the expenses are quickly adding up. Any donations will go directly toward funeral costs and helping ensure all of her children can be present to honour her together. If you’re unable to give, sharing this link means the world to us. We’re deeply grateful for every thought, prayer, and act of kindness during this time.