LAUREL LEA MCCULLOCH (KORYTNIAK)

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LAUREL LEA MCCULLOCH (nee KORYTNIAK) After a courageous battle with cancer and with her husband by her side, Laurel left us on Sunday, March 4, 2012, at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, MB, at the age of 54 years. Left to grieve Laurel's loss are her beloved husband Dean; parents Robert and Doris Korytniak of Lloydminster, AB; brother Robert Korytniak (Sue) of Aldergrove, BC; brother-in-law Dave McCulloch (Sally), sister-in-law Nancy Mackenzie (Charles) of Winnipeg; as well as nieces and nephews Brett, Cara (Scott), David (Jessica), Mike, Sarah (Allan), Karla (Steve), Noah, Sophie and Dante. She was predeceased by her father-in-law David; mother-in-law Marion; sister-in-law Bonnie; Aunt Lorna, Aunt Vi and special family friend David. On July 7, 1957 Laurel was born in Prince Albert, SK. After attending school there and in several other communities in Saskatchewan, she enjoyed careers including work for a newspaper, the Alberta government, as a health care aide and farming in Alberta for 10 years. Laurel attended the Royal Alexandria Hospital School of Nursing in Edmonton, graduating as a Registered Nurse in the early 1990s. She later moved to Winnipeg and worked in several hospitals, joining the Riverview Health Centre full time in October 1996. The following year she met Dean, who became suspicious when called to fix the same problem three times on the floor near the nursing station where Laurel sat. He never did find the problem, and instead asked her out for coffee. They married on September 2, 2001, and settled in St. James. Laurel enjoyed the company of her friends and co-workers including her special 4 East family at Riverview. She was always eager to spend time with people and learn new things. As a very creative person, Laurel enjoyed many hobbies and interests such as gardening, sewing, and crafts, and working on her Master Gardner's designation for the past few years. She truly enjoyed stirring up hearty meals with her own crops. Her other passions included travelling and exploring with Dean, be it by trains, planes or automobiles, and going to places like the beach, or weekend ball tournaments and concerts. Hawaii was a favourite destination and had become an annual trip. More than anything, Laurel enjoyed a good walk with her man at her side, or being in the garden with him and the cats. The sight of dragonflies, butterflies and bees meant the yard was alive and healthy, and nothing made her happier than getting dirty in the spring. In compliance with Laurel's wishes there will be no service at this time. A special thank-you to the many people who helped Laurel through this difficult journey: friends, family, volunteers and all of the many health professionals. To the angels at the St. Boniface Hospital Palliative Care Ward, please know that Laurel (and we) greatly appreciated your efforts; that you made her feel like a princess; and, most of all for helping her feel useful and valued right to the end. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9 or an animal rescue shelter in your area. In the spirit of who Laurel was, you could also plant a tree or something special and enjoy the gift of watching it grow. Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders. - Henry D. Thoreau ALOHA LALENA

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 10, 2012