LAUGHREN, Stella
1934 ~ 2024
Mrs. Stella Laughren, the beloved wife of the late Glen Laughren, passed away peacefully in Nanaimo on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at the age of 90 years, after a long battle with dementia.
She was predeceased by her husband, Glen, her parents, Daniel and Wanda Gyrlevich, in-laws Cecil & Marie Laughren, sister-in-law Eileen Laughren, uncle and aunt Joe & Emily Kossik and several very close friends and treasured pets.
Stella's memory will forever be cherished by her daughter, Debra (Curt) Duddy, grandson Michael (Laura) Duddy, great-grandchildren Madeleine and Lincoln, her brother Frank (Louise) Gyrlevich, brother-in-law Lyle (Ruby) Laughren, several nieces and nephews, the Kossick clan and much-loved family friends, Diane & Carlos Lara, Denise & Al Burns and Betty & Mike Read.
Stella was born in Moose Jaw and was raised in the Ukrainian community. She took great pride in her heritage and spent a considerable amount of her youth in "The Hall," singing, dancing, and, of course, eating. She attended King Edward and Peacock (TECH) High School. This led her to a banking career at the Bank of Commerce and the South Hill Credit Union until she became a stay-at-home mom. After Glen passed, she decided that she would go back to work and found herself at Southwest Daycare which she enjoyed until her retirement.
Stella was a sports enthusiast. She enjoyed 10-pin bowling, badminton, and tennis both of which she excelled. Tennis became her passion, and she continued to play the game into her late 70s when arthritis prevented her from playing.
More than anything, Stella loved being 'Guma' to her grandson Michael. She would spend summers with him, teaching him tennis and adventuring around the prairies and BC.
In 2007, she moved to Nanaimo to be closer to her daughter and her family. She continued to keep active, and she kept the family moving by going on hikes and daily walks in Nanaimo and the surrounding areas.
Despite the memories that dementia stole from her, her love, and unique sense of humour shone through to the end. Her lessons, memories, and traditions have been passed down to her family and friends, and we will continue to honour and pass them on to future generations.
Stella's family would like to thank the staff of Eden Gardens Dementia Care in Nanaimo for their outstanding care of her.
As was her wish, Stella's life will be honoured privately at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Eden Gardens (https://edengardens.ca/donate-today/) or Wakamow Valley Park (https://wakamow.ca/donate).