Obituary of Laura Marie Andersen

It is with great sadness we announce the unexpected and peaceful passing of our dear mother, grandma, great-grandma, sister and friend Laura Marie Andersen (nee Caissie) at her home on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, at the age of 89. Laura was predeceased by her husband Bob (Bjarne-1992) and her son David (2019). Laura is lovingly remembered by her children Raymond (Danette), Michael (Debbie), Robert (Ineke), Christina (Vic). She was cherished by her grandchildren Jenise, Roberta (Mark), Colton (Sara); Erin (Josh), Michael, Alysha (Nathan), Lauran (Ryan), Alek (Madison); Kirsten (Josh), Patrick; Andrew (Jessie). Totally devoted great-grandma to Sophia-Marie, Rome, Douglas; Logan, Lillian, Leif; Ophelia, Brent, Rhys; Quinn, Everly; Luc, Marc.

Laura was born September 21, 1931 in Middle River, Bathurst, New Brunswick, into a large French-Canadian family consisting of her parents Joseph (1993) and Lauza (1998) Caissie, and 16 brothers and sisters. She is survived by Bertha, Theresa, Alma, Raymond, Emile, and will be especially missed by her sister and partner-in-crime Diane, as well as her lifelong family friend Margaret Mason. With such a large family, Laura always laughed that you didn’t fool around or be late at meal times because before you knew it the food was gone (you snooze you lose), and always hide the things you loved because they seemed to get borrowed then disappeared. She always said they were poor in material things but rich in love.

Having a slight potty mouth (she loved 4 letter words), Laura was known for her lack of patience, not holding back her opinion, and at times had little or no filter.  She loved gardening, sitting around the pool with her little dog “Leo”, tanning until she turned into wrinkled leather (thank you baby oil), and she loved warm sun kissed wine. She could fire her slipper like a missile, and loved doing jumping jacks in the driveway when saying good bye to the grandkids, dropping her dentures on the ground or occasionally down her top, causing everyone to laugh hysterically.

Large, noisy family dinners, loads of great food and never enough room, Laura was always in her element in the kitchen. Many a pig’s head (for head cheese) salted cod heads/cheeks/tongs (for fish cakes), live eels, lobsters fresh from New Brunswick and many other weird and wonderful things, were cooked on that stove, with the cat “Cameo” sitting in between the glowing burners, tail hairs singed. A typical Sunday afternoon in Laura’s kitchen would be with Bob trying to tell her how to cook, and we can remember with a laugh every saucy comeback she gave him. Oh, and the pot of tea (King Cole), always warming on the burner, sitting for hours and hours, just waiting for a visitor to drop by and pretend it wasn’t too strong. The smell of Laura’s fresh baked bread as you walked in the door was always welcoming, and even though she tried to teach us how to make it, having no written recipe or never using measuring cups and spoons always made it challenging.

For the last 10 years Laura has lived on Princess Ave. with a close-knit group of caring neighbours and good friends. Helping each other with daily well checks, socializing, sitting outside, decorating the halls, shopping and just caring for each other through Covid. Laura was an important and loved member of her community and her nice weather presence on the front garden bench will surely be missed, as well as her homemade butter tarts that everyone loved and appreciated.

Mom…. I can’t even begin to tell you how much you are going to be missed. You were my best friend and confidant, I could tell you anything and it stayed between us. We saw each other at least twice a week and every Sunday, we did our shopping together and had our daily phone calls. OLG is going to go under without your weekly lottery purchases, and I always chuckled at how annoyed you’d get when you didn’t win, then growl and ask me, “Where did you get those tickets!”

You were such a large part of my life Mom, but I know how badly you missed David and Dad, and are so happy to be sitting with them watching over all of us.

“Mom, my mind still talks to you, my heart still looks for you, my soul knows you are at peace.”                 I love you dearly, Christina XO

Laura has been cremated with interment at Forest Lawn Cemetery at a later date, when the whole family can safely travel and be together. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Mocha Shriners or the charity of your choice would be appreciated.

Special thanks to Carolyn Nixon from Affordable Funeral Options Inc. for her help and guidance.