Honouring Laurie Field
Donation protected
We lost a bright shining star this week. Our dear friend, Laurie Field, passed suddenly in Hamilton, Ontario on Friday, October 16.
Laurie left her mark in her all too brief life. A Hamilton native, and a die-hard Ti-Cats fan, after school, Laurie pursued a career as a Human Resources Officer. She felt fulfilled when she was able to find talent for the companies she worked for, and enjoyed helping employees find their way and realize their potential. She framed her own achievement in seeing colleagues at work succeed. Her interest in their welfare was genuine, and she always made herself available to them, to discuss their career goals, to support them when they competed for a competition, to offer feedback and motivation when the employee wasn't selected, and professional guidance to help them succeed the next time.
Family always figured first for Laurie. Her father was an RCAF Veteran and his military service instilled within her a love for the Canadian Armed Forces, and a sense of duty to country. In 2009, Laurie deployed to Afghanistan as a civilian contractor serving as the Human Resources Manager for a workforce of 300 at Kandahar Airfield (KAF), who were providing logistic support to the Canadian military; mechanics, carpenters, engineers, cleaners, welders, electricians, transport drivers, heavy machinery operators; hard workers & the salt of the earth.
It was a dynamic environment with dozens of new civilians arriving each month. Laurie greeted each and everyone, supported them professionally, and counselled them quietly when an employee suffered from homesickness, anxiety, relationship issues, and anything else an employee sought advice upon. She was a trusted professional that so many confided in, knowing they would never be judged, that their interests would always come first, and that Laurie would have their back, and support them as best as she could. She gave them respect, empathy and wise counsel. They gave her faith, respect and trust. And they loved her. We all did.
Laurie was awarded the General Service Medal with two bars for her time in Afghanistan. She felt privileged to serve alongside the Canadian troops, befriended many of them, and worried as they deployed on patrol; some of whom tragically did not return. Her time in Afghanistan, the friendships she made with her CANCAP family, and amongst the troops she served beside, was the high point of her professional life. She was proud of what she accomplished, and her pride was well-deserved. One of her favourite photos of herself during her time in Kandahar was in a borrowed aircrew uniform; an image she knew that would make her beloved Dad very, very proud.
Returning to Canada, Laurie sought work opportunities that might capture the camaraderie and excitement that she had treasured in Afghanistan; working in HR within the oil fields of Fort MacMurray, and in the diamond mines of Nunavut. Her greatest joy was seeing her daughter Miranda mature, succeed, and pursue her own career goals, and becoming a grandmother to Miranda's two beautiful daughters.
Tragically, this past Friday, our amazing Laurie passed quickly and silently. She left so suddenly without warning, and no one - not Miranda, the Field family, or any of her many friends - were able to say goodbye. Her health had suffered in the past few years. She was unable to work for consistently, and as a consequence, now at the time of her unexpected passing, there are no reserves of funds to cover the costs of respectfully laying her to rest.
This GoFundMe is intended solely to provide support for funeral expenses and arrangements. Laurie served her country at a time of war, but as a civilian, there are no government funds available to assist with the cost of burial. The costs are beyond Miranda's means, and this fund has been created to assist.
Please consider making a donation to help Miranda afford her Mom a respectful and dignified farewell. Any amount will help - $1.00 / $5.00 / $20.00 - whatever you might consider. All of the funds will go directly to Miranda, who will use them to defray the costs that are inevitably being incurred.
Laurie served her country in its time of need. Please help us honour Laurie now and show our thanks for the contribution she made to Canada.
Thank you for your considerations.
Ralph Mahar & Lucie Picard
Members of Laurie's "CANCAP Family"
Laurie left her mark in her all too brief life. A Hamilton native, and a die-hard Ti-Cats fan, after school, Laurie pursued a career as a Human Resources Officer. She felt fulfilled when she was able to find talent for the companies she worked for, and enjoyed helping employees find their way and realize their potential. She framed her own achievement in seeing colleagues at work succeed. Her interest in their welfare was genuine, and she always made herself available to them, to discuss their career goals, to support them when they competed for a competition, to offer feedback and motivation when the employee wasn't selected, and professional guidance to help them succeed the next time.
Family always figured first for Laurie. Her father was an RCAF Veteran and his military service instilled within her a love for the Canadian Armed Forces, and a sense of duty to country. In 2009, Laurie deployed to Afghanistan as a civilian contractor serving as the Human Resources Manager for a workforce of 300 at Kandahar Airfield (KAF), who were providing logistic support to the Canadian military; mechanics, carpenters, engineers, cleaners, welders, electricians, transport drivers, heavy machinery operators; hard workers & the salt of the earth.
It was a dynamic environment with dozens of new civilians arriving each month. Laurie greeted each and everyone, supported them professionally, and counselled them quietly when an employee suffered from homesickness, anxiety, relationship issues, and anything else an employee sought advice upon. She was a trusted professional that so many confided in, knowing they would never be judged, that their interests would always come first, and that Laurie would have their back, and support them as best as she could. She gave them respect, empathy and wise counsel. They gave her faith, respect and trust. And they loved her. We all did.
Laurie was awarded the General Service Medal with two bars for her time in Afghanistan. She felt privileged to serve alongside the Canadian troops, befriended many of them, and worried as they deployed on patrol; some of whom tragically did not return. Her time in Afghanistan, the friendships she made with her CANCAP family, and amongst the troops she served beside, was the high point of her professional life. She was proud of what she accomplished, and her pride was well-deserved. One of her favourite photos of herself during her time in Kandahar was in a borrowed aircrew uniform; an image she knew that would make her beloved Dad very, very proud.
Returning to Canada, Laurie sought work opportunities that might capture the camaraderie and excitement that she had treasured in Afghanistan; working in HR within the oil fields of Fort MacMurray, and in the diamond mines of Nunavut. Her greatest joy was seeing her daughter Miranda mature, succeed, and pursue her own career goals, and becoming a grandmother to Miranda's two beautiful daughters.
Tragically, this past Friday, our amazing Laurie passed quickly and silently. She left so suddenly without warning, and no one - not Miranda, the Field family, or any of her many friends - were able to say goodbye. Her health had suffered in the past few years. She was unable to work for consistently, and as a consequence, now at the time of her unexpected passing, there are no reserves of funds to cover the costs of respectfully laying her to rest.
This GoFundMe is intended solely to provide support for funeral expenses and arrangements. Laurie served her country at a time of war, but as a civilian, there are no government funds available to assist with the cost of burial. The costs are beyond Miranda's means, and this fund has been created to assist.
Please consider making a donation to help Miranda afford her Mom a respectful and dignified farewell. Any amount will help - $1.00 / $5.00 / $20.00 - whatever you might consider. All of the funds will go directly to Miranda, who will use them to defray the costs that are inevitably being incurred.
Laurie served her country in its time of need. Please help us honour Laurie now and show our thanks for the contribution she made to Canada.
Thank you for your considerations.
Ralph Mahar & Lucie Picard
Members of Laurie's "CANCAP Family"
Organizer and beneficiary
Ralph Mahar
Organizer
Nepean, ON
Miranda Price
Beneficiary