Obituary of Laura Barbara Shaw

It is with profound sadness, we announce the passing of Laura Barbara Shaw who was called to be with her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on Saturday, August 26, 2023.

Laura was an unbelievable mom, aunt, sister-in-law, and friend. She was a loving person who will be missed by many.

Laura was born in Regina, Saskatchewan in 1943. She was predeceased by her husband Pat; and mom May. Laura is survived by her son Kevin; and dog Brix. She will be deeply missed by brother-in-law George (Judy); sister-in-law Shirley Ashdown; nieces Lauradelle, Lee-Anne, Leslie, Nancy, and Susan; nephew Rob; as well as many extended family members, and multitudes of friends.

Mom lived most of her 80 years in the Queen City. She got her first name from her grandma Laura. Her middle name on the other hand was a bit different. When Mom was born, the nurse asked her mom what the baby’s middle name was going to be. Apparently, her mom never thought that far ahead, so she asked the nurse what her name was. The nurse’s name was Barbara. So that’s how Mom ended up Laura Barbara.

As soon as Mom was old enough to, she would dance and do so for hours upon hours. Her main hangout was the Trianon Ballroom. In Mom’s younger years, an old polka band called the Six Fat Dutchmen would come to Regina and they would always end up at her and her mom’s house. They would play music until all hours of the night. She once said that the police were called because of the rowdiness.

Mom started working at the ripe old age of 16 at Sears where she spent almost 20 years as a keypunch operator.

In 1976, Mom met Pat and they were married in 1977 and their son Kevin entered the world in December of 1978.

Funny story. Both Mom and Dad never talked about how they met or anything like that. My aunt told me a story that I would like to share. She told me that my dad and mom were at a dance (probably at the Trianon) and dad offered to buy my mom a drink. Mom told my dad that she didn’t drink, and he asked her how she could have so much fun and not drink. Neither of them shared details about that, but it makes sense.

Mom moved on from Sears to Co-operators Life Insurance in the early 1980s where she worked until she retired in the mid-2000s. She made a ton of friends at the Co-operators; some we would call family.

For those of you who don’t know, Mom was a sports fan. She started off attending Saskatchewan Roughrider games with her friend in the early 1970s. That only lasted for a couple of years until she was introduced to the Regina Pats, and she became a Pats fan in 1974 and was a season ticket holder for well over 40 years.

Mom loved to crochet and was crafty. She loved gardening, canning, juicing, making jams, and all that good stuff. She loved baking, especially at Christmas time. She was always volunteering or at least volunteering Dad to do various projects.

Even though Mom didn’t sing or play an instrument, she was a key cog in the musical duo known as “Sing-along with Pat and Laura” that toured around as many as 10 nursing homes in Regina. Much of the time the music was old hymns and gospel music. They continued until 2019.

She also had a key roll in one of the coffee rows at the Southland Mall. After spending time walking, talking, and window shopping, she would join the coffee row. Mom had the ability to draw people to the row just by being herself with a quick conversation or a kind hello.

Mom, you meant so much to so many people. We can be at peace that you and Dad are together again. Love you, miss you and I’ll see you again.

We request that the day of the service, if you attend or not, in honour of Mom wear black and/or white (her favourite colours) or Regina Pats colours.

Mom’s family and friends would like to thank the staff of 3B at the Pasqua Hospital for the care and compassion that was shown in her final days.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 8, 2023 at Living Springs Church, 2223 Victoria Avenue East, with Pastor Rob Reimer, officiating. Interment will be held later. For thos not able to attend, a livestream may be viewed at www.livingsprings.life/live.