Obituary of Grace Laurina Rook

Grace Laurina Rook was born October 29, 1922 in Rocanville, Saskatchewan. She passed away on July 9, 2020 in Calgary, Alberta. Laurina attended school in Rocanville, and in 1941 went to Winnipeg to study at Success Business College. She worked briefly in Winnipeg before returning to Rocanville to work at Symons Metalworks as a stenographer. In 1943 she returned to Winnipeg and took an x-ray course. A year later she was offered a job in Port Alberni, BC. In 1952, Laurina moved to Vancouver for a new job at an x-ray clinic there. She would stay there for two years before travelling to England where she did a number of locums. By 1955 she was back in Winnipeg, working at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital. She stayed there until 1957, at which time she moved to the Calgary General Hospital. Shortly thereafter she became their first student instructor. Over the many years as an x-ray technician teacher, Laurina made many great friendships with her students. Laurina had a passion for sports. In 1948 she started golfing, which would become a lifetime passion. She won many championships in this sport. In 1961 she was playing another sport she loved, tennis and as a result met Hazel Brown. The following year she took up skiing. Laurina and Hazel loved to travel, and together travelled to many places including the USA, England, Hawaii, the then Soviet Union and many places in Canada. Laurina retired in 1980 and was pleasantly surprised to see many of her former students at dinner held by the staff for her. Laurina is survived by her niece Marina Davis, and nephews Don (Debbie), Dennis (Linda) and Gordon Rook plus numerous great-nephews and nieces, plus many great-great nephews and nieces. Laurina was pre-deceased by her parents, Gordon and Laura Rook, sister Elsie Rook, brother Warren and sister-in-law Alfreda Rook, niece Jeanne Reiley and her life partner Hazel Brown. The family would like to thank all who offered Laurina a helping hand during the Covid-19 crisis. Donations may be made in memory of Laurina to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca.