Obituary of Laura Rourke

With profound sadness, the family of Laura Rourke regrets announcing that her life here on earth ended at the age of 50 on Saturday, May 21, 2011 after a brave, courageous and determined 15-month battle with a brain tumour. Laura is survived by her husband Andrew, parents John and Mary Rempel (St. Catharines), brother John Rempel and his wife Sandy (Vineland), children Dan, Luke and Dayna Wiens and Andrea Rourke, by many aunts, uncles and cousins, and by sisters Helen King (Toronto) and Nancy McKinnon (Grand Tracadie, PEI) and their families. Laura will also be remembered by the family of Bob Rourke and Janet Hoyt of Owen Sound. After many years at home raising her children, Laura enjoyed a 17-year career at Maplesoft and was proud to have spent the last 7 years as their Director of Human Resources. Following passions that were close to her heart, much of Laura's spare time was invested in voluntary efforts at Silver Lake Mennonite Camp, Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, and both Waterloo North and W-K United Mennonite churches. Relatives and friends are invited to share memories of Laura with her family during visitation at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Tuesday, May 24 from 7-9pm, and on Wednesday, May 25 from 2-4 and 7-9pm. The funeral service will be held at Waterloo North Mennonite Church, 100 Benjamin Rd. Waterloo on Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 1:30pm. Rev. Randy Hildebrand to officiate. Interment to follow at Parkview Cemetery, Waterloo. Following the interment, everyone is invited to a reception at the church. As a lasting tribute to Laura's life, donations to Silver Lake Mennonite Camp would be appreciated and may be arranged through the funeral home at 519-745-8445 or www.erbgood.com. The family wishes to thank the many people who aided Laura and the family through her journey in so many meaningful ways: the staff at Juravinski Cancer Centre (Hamilton), the ER, 6th floor and Acute Care staff at Grand River Hospital (Kitchener), Dana Rourke (Creative Healing, Kitchener), Dr. Loral Derksen Hiebert (Heidelberg Naturopath Clinic, Heidelberg), Kerstin Kramer (Natural Health Touch, Waterloo), Jeanette Wayne (Joy Clinic, Toronto), Drs. Knight, Steckley and Keleher, and Dr. William Plaxton and the staff of Sapphire Health Group (Waterloo). Special thanks are extended to the CCAC and nurses Agnes Bos and Laura Bean, and to Barb Myers who lovingly cared for Laura each day for the past 9 months. "A smile as bright as the sun… a laugh to brighten the world."