It is with sadness that the family of Laura MacLean announce her death in Moose Jaw on September 7th, 2025, one month before her ninetieth birthday.
Laura was predeceased by her husband Ron in 2005 and son Ron in 1994, as well as siblings Marie, Marguerite, Alice, Bernard, Pat, George and Greg.
Laura is survived by her brother Father Jack Gallagher, her sisters in-law Susan Carey and Ann MacLean, her daughters Barb (Les), Leslie (Roger), Kara (Craig), Erin (Dmetri), daughter in law Kim (Keith) and son Greg (Jana). She is also survived by sixteen grandchildren, and twelve great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Laura was born in Yorkton on October 7, 1935, as the eighth of nine children born to Fergal and Alberta Gallagher. She grew up on the farm outside of Yorkton and attended Mapleside School for grades 1-8. She started her high school years at Sacred Heart Academy in Yorkton and completed grades 11 and 12 at Sacred Heart Academy in Regina.
Mom went on to complete secretarial training at Reliance College and began her career with the law firm Peterson, Norman & MacLeod. It was in Regina that she met a young lawyer, Ron MacLean. They were married on May 2, 1957. Family soon followed with Barb and Ron both being born in Regina before the family moved to Assiniboia. Laura and Ron called Assiniboia home for the next eighteen years. During that time, the family expanded by an additional three when Leslie, Greg, and Kara were born.
In Assiniboia, Laura and Ron developed a large network of life-long friends and became entrenched in the community. Laura took the lead caring for five young children while also capably taking care of the household and entertaining responsibilities while Ron built a law practice.
During these very busy years, they would carve out 3-4 weeks for themselves every year to go on a winter vacation. On day two of the holiday, Laura would dutifully begin to send postcards back home. Laura and Ron would continue to go on warm vacations every year, with friends and family members. In Arizona they would form lifelong friendships with fellow snowbirds.
In the summer of 1975, the family moved to Moose Jaw where she and Ron would remain the rest of their lives. In 1980, the family was blessed with the birth of daughter Erin. Erin’s birth ushered in a wonderful time for the family that also included the arrival of grandchildren. The family home on Gordon Road was site of countless family and social functions where Laura’s hosting and ‘baby whisperer’ skills were on full display.
Soon after moving to Moose Jaw, with only two teenagers and a baby to care for, Laura began what would be a 40-year (plus) career as a volunteer. She became a fixture at St. Anthony’s Home, St. Joseph’s Church and, later, Providence Place. Whether delivering communion, or spending countless hours supporting the residents, Laura found meaning and purpose in the service of others, especially in the place she would later call home.
Although Ron Jr’s death in 1994 was a blow, as were the losses of family and friends that were to follow, Laura never lost sight of appreciating what she had. She demonstrated amazing resilience and was most certainly the heart of the family that kept everyone going. Ron Sr’s passing in 2005 caused Laura to adjust to life without her partner and focus her energies on her family, her church and her community. During these years and to the end, Laura was the beneficiary of remarkable support and care she received from her daughter, Kara and family.
Laura moved to Providence Place in March of 2021 where she would reside until her passing. While at Providence Place, she lived out her life with the grace, kindness, and humour that were hallmarks of her character.
The family would like to thank the staff and residents of Providence Place for the care, compassion and kindness they showed toward Laura the past 4 and a half years.
Donations may be made to the Providence Place Foundation. A private family funeral was held to honour Laura. Please sign the memorial register at website:
www.wjjonesandson.com (Obituaries) - Dayna Chamberlain - Funeral Director