Obituary of Laura Taaffe

Laura Taaffe (nee Ozon)

 

At 94 years, Laura slipped peacefully away from us on August 17 at the Dartmouth General Hospital leaving us bereft but so grateful for the love, the humour and the light she gave to us. She was one of six children born to Louis Ozon and Beatrice Power in St. Georges, NL.

Laura spent much of her childhood in St. Pierre and Miquelon steeped in the French culture and where she nurtured a life long love of music, of foods of the world and the gallic “come what may” acceptance of life from which she drew a boundless joie de vivre that spread light to those around her.

Happily for Laura and for us, the Ozons returned to Newfoundland where she completed her education, reaching heights on her beloved piano that amazed her teachers and thrilled her listeners.  She met her dear Frank in Corner Brook; their union in 1950 sparked a large, vibrant family and they built a lively, wonderful home which Laura enriched with her spirit, her positivity, her enduring faith, her ability to see what really mattered and her unfailing respect for others. By example, she taught us to be the finest version of ourselves, to live decisively, and love life to its fullest.

Our mother lived a full and happy life. She said so often that she felt blessed in life; the blessing most cited was “my family”.  She was our cornerstone; our staunchest and most unfailing supporter.  Laura also loved and valued her wider faith families at Holy Redeemer Parish in Corner Brook and later at Saint John the 23rd in Cole Harbour from which she drew sustaining friendships and to which she gave when and where she could.  Laura’s range was deep and wide; a personal elegance and sense of style saw her as at home at the opera as reigning over her always teeming dining room table surrounded by family and friends.

Laura will be lovingly remembered by her eight children; Marguerite (Joe), Cecilia (Greg), Rita (John), Michael (Anne), Mary (Wayne), Greg (Joy), Theresa (George) and Edward (Shauna). Her cherished grandchildren will so miss their Nan; Sarah, Kevin, Natalie, Erin, Laura, Tara, David, Johnathan, Steven, Sara, Emily, Jane, Peter, Melissa, Adam, Devon, Matthew, Olivia and Amy as will their children, Laura’s great-grandchildren; Sophia, Avery, Noah, Beatrice, Cate, Ben, Paityn, Ainsley, Hudson, Isaac, Violet, Callie, Max and Leo. Her brothers, Joe and Eugene will also miss their dear sister. She was predeceased by her husband Frank, by her sister, Little Marguerite and her brothers Ted and Robert.  

Friends and family are invited to visit on Friday, August 24 from 7:00 to 9:00 at Fillatre’s Funeral Home on St. Mark’s Avenue.  A funeral mass will be held at the Holy Redeemer Cathedral at 10:30 on Saturday, August 25 with burial to follow at the Townsite Catholic Cemetery. The family sends a heartful thank you to all Laura’s caregivers.