On December 3, 2013, Renee Laird (nee Mulligan) passed away peacefully in Nanaimo, BC. She was predeceased by her husband, Frederick Davidson Laird, in 1972, and is survived by her daughter Margaret, son Stephen (Ruth), loving grandchildren Sarah, Eve, and Ross, and numerous nieces and nephews in Great Britain.
Renee was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on October 17, 1920. During the Second World War she worked as a volunteer for the British Armed Forces, and in 1949 married Fred, who had fought in the war with the British Airborne.
In 1957 the family, including two small children, immigrated to Canada, stopping briefly in Edmonton, before moving to
St. Albert, where Renee took a job as recreation director with the (then) Town of St. Albert. She thrived in the position, and contributed in numerous ways to the development of the town.
For a few years Renee was a director of the Edmonton Y.W.C.A. She was very involved with the Walterdale Playhouse, and for many years had an acting role in the annual Klondike Days melodrama. She was a member of the Seven Arts Club, and after retirement did a great deal of work as a member of the St. Albert Historical society.
The family would like to acknowledge with thanks the kind and loving care Renee received in recent years from the wonderful people at Dover House in Nanaimo.
A private service for family will be held, followed by cremation. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Nanaimo Loaves and Fishes – Hamperville, 1009 Farquhar Street, Nanaimo, BC, V9R 2G2.