Obituary of Debbie Laird

It is with deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved sister, daughter, mother, wife and trusted friend Debbie Laird on Thursday evening, October 12, 2006 at the Rosedale Hospice in Calgary following a valiant battle with lung cancer. Left to mourn her passing and celebrate her life is her husband Donald Laird, and her two sweet children Garrett and Maggie, her parents Ivan and Sylva McGillivray, sisters Rita, Lorelee (Randy) and her brother Jim, along with her nieces and nephews, Gerard, Jessica and Rebecca Van Ginkel, and Justin and Logan Cooke. Debbie also leaves behind her many loving, brothers and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Born in Williams Lake B.C., Debbie moved to Calgary in 1971 where she resided for the rest of her life. After graduating from St. Mary’s High School Debbie enjoyed a long career in the Calgary oil patch where she established herself as a skilled and competent oil and gas royalty accountant, most recently as a Manager for Rio Alto International before she left to adventure with her family at their new home in Playa del Carmen Mexico in 2005. We will remember Debbie for her loving, compassionate and generous spirit. Her undaunting courage in the face of adversity, her independence and her loyalty. We could always count on her calming way and her infinite capacity to listen with empathy. Everything she did, she did with class, style and grace. Our lives have been enriched by the gift of her life, and our world is a better place because she was in it. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church (4718 Worcester Drive S.W.) on Monday October 16, 2006 at 7:30p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church (4718 Worcester Drive S.W.) on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. The family gratefully declines floral tributes. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Rosedale Hospice #900, 833 – 4 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2P 3T5 Telephone: (403) 263 – 4525 or Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 – 29 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N2 Telephone: (403) 521-3433 and that a small random act of kindness be the gift that you share with yourself and another today. In living memory of Debbie Laird a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.