Laurie Brethour- Van Zeeland, a devoted mother, aunt, sister, and daughter, passed away peacefully on December 1, 2021 with her two children, Brahm Van Zeeland and Brianna Emmons by her side.
Laurie had a passion for the Christmas holidays. It was a season about her favourite thing to do, giving. She was a fiercely passionate and loving person. She loved spending time with family and friends. Some of her favourite Christmas traditions her baking cookies for cookie exchanges, building gingerbread houses, stuffing the turkey and filling the stockings until they were ready to burst. Santa Claus was Laurie’s hero.
They broke the mold when Laurie was born to the late Edward Frederick Brethour (Ted) and Sheila Ann Logan-Noonan, May, 1958 in Burlington, Ontario. Being born going into the 1960’s. Lead the foundation for Laurie’s Spirit, love of Life and the Mother Earth, her church. Laurie has three siblings, Norman, Nancy and Stuart who were brought into this world back to back causing for a close bond through her life, never to be broken throughout sibling challenges.
Laurie was bright beyond our understanding. Laurie excelerated twice before achieving 100% honors in college. Where she chose the path to help people as that was her way, to become a trusted, respected, professional in the field of X-ray Imaging. Laurie loved her profession working right up until Covid struck us. Despite her ill health and living in pain daily she would get on the train and subway every day without hesitation.
Growing up Laurie was very creative, art and drawing was her passion, she would capture an image on paper in its true form. She continued this creativity throughout her life from painting, gingerbread house making, designing Halloween costumes for her kids and the many crafts she created with her sister, daughter and friends.
Laurie had a soft and gigantic heart for her fur friends with many over her life, from her bouvier Jona to Lady Dave and her kitties Melanie, Eddie and Logan. She opened her heart and her home to many wandering creatures.
Laurie relished her role as a mother to Brianna and Brahm fearlessly protecting her children. She did anything and everything she could for her kids. Also extending her love and compassion to their friends. Everything from co-ordinating baseball tournaments, to rock n roll birthdays in the backyard, and making sure her daughter had the perfect dream wedding. Always instilling her words of wisdom, with the hopes that she taught them to be true to themselves and at least to cuss out loud and be proud.
Laurie leaves behind decades of fond and colourful memories with her family - mother Sheila Noonan, her brother Norman Edwin Brethour his partner Brenda Anderson, sister Nancy Louise Brethour DiGiovanni and her husband Alfie DiGiovanni, brother Stuart Frederick Brethour and 7 nieces and nephews, 1 great niece and 1 great nephew.
When she was called by her nickname Lollipop the memories flow, she lights up with such a smile and a little giggle.
One of the greatest aspects of Laurie is her tremendous capacity to love. Life in many ways has not been kind to Laurie and this capacity was challenged many times. What We love and admire about Laurie is that she consistently chooses - in spite of everything- to live in her truth. That truth is her unwavering belief in the capacity that a pure heart given in love, always creates joy and makes a difference.
Although Laurie leaves behind her husband Peter Vanzeeland of Victoria B.C . Laurie was lucky to have had several loves whom each had a special place in her heart throughout her life. She was never without love around her.
Laurie was a special friend to all. She always put others first and was always the first to be there to support you anytime you needed her, even though she was struggling with ailments she would soldiering through to help you.
No flowers please. Seriously what would make Laurie the happiest is for all who new her to have a beverage of choice with a friend and talk about Laurie’s passion and love for life and her people. Cheers! Should you be able to donate in honor of Laurie’s memory to your local humane society or food bank would surely make her spirit dance.
Laurie faced death and her mortality as she did her life, face on, telling us what to do and where to go without filters. Laurie often said when my time comes put me in a pine box, NAKED ! Push me off the waters edge in a northern lake to be one with Nature. Unfortunately we are unable to do that at this time. She will be cremated and brought to a northern lake at a later time, though still naked in a way.
The family is forever in debt to her Son Brahm. Moving in with her and all he has done and sacrificed to take care of his mom the past years and most of all this recent year. Laurie was never alone. We could not have done it without him. The family is very proud of you Brahm.
Her village of people have a Laurie Story, the family would love to hear them all.
To share a memory of Laurie, please send condolences to her family most of all her children.
Laurie’s heart, if we could see is this ever expansive love free of all wounds, angst, anxiety, turmoil and pain. We Focus on her soul and heart as we honor her journey. Be present for her now and she will forever be present with you all.
There will be a cremation and private family gathering.
A Celebration of Laurie’s life to be held at a later date.