Remembering Laura Elizabeth Hohertz

3/3/2021

We would love to hear from you! What are your memories of Laura? Do you have a story to tell? A reflection? Please click here to share your memories, reflections and stories.

17 Comments

Kelly Azoulay

3/4/2021 07:20:49 pm

I had the pleasure of working with Laura when I was at United Way. She was sweet, authentic, and incredibly passionate about her work. Laura had an infectious laughter and a way about her that always made you feel comfortable and welcomed. I feel blessed to have known Laura and to have shared many wonderful moments with her, memories that I will carry with me always. I pray that in time Laura's family and friends will heal from this incredible loss and take comfort in the fact that she was loved by many.

Elizabeth Hohertz

3/4/2021 07:49:31 pm

I think everyone will remember Laura's beautiful smile and loving heart, so I'd like to share something a bit more personal. One of my early impressions was an indefinable feeling that she was good for Joe, which meant a lot to me as Joe's mom. In actuality, she was good for our whole family. We were so fortunate to have her in our lives. We will miss her so much.

Christine Politis

3/4/2021 10:03:23 pm

My heartfelt condolences to the entire family. My memories of Laura will always include her soft voice, kind words, and contagious smile.

Alison

3/4/2021 10:03:47 pm

A beautiful, loving, kind and generous woman who brought joy to many will be forever missed

Rahima Mamdani

3/5/2021 10:22:53 am

I had the privilege of working with Laura at United Way for many years and will always remember her kindness, courage and gentle nature. She had a smile that lit up a room. My deepest sympathies go out to her family and all those who are feeling her loss.

Sherry Hugh

3/6/2021 06:02:25 pm

Laura was one of the most kindest and supportive people I ever had the honour to meet. I worked with Laura at United Way and knew from the start that she was more than a colleague to me and so many...she was a friend, confidant and brilliant light. During some of the most stressful times, Laura’s smile and laughter could make it all go away. Laura was a loving mother and partner and she genuinely cared about people - those she knew and those she helped through her work. Rest In Peace Laura. And to Joe, Nathaniel and the rest of Laura’s family, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Susan Vardon

3/7/2021 10:34:28 am

I also worked with Laura at United Way and remember her sweet smile and generous laugh so fondly. The last time I saw her was at a United Way event a few weeks back and I remember our conversation from that night as the absolute highlight of the night. She spoke so lovingly of Joe and Nathaniel. She was a gift to so many and will be dearly missed. I send much love to her family and close friends at this time.

Dale

3/7/2021 02:56:40 pm

Laura was one of the kindest people I know. We worked together for a number of years during which I had the privilege of seeing her compassion in action.

I don’t think she knew that I was aware that she brought food every morning for the guy living on the sidewalk behind the office. In this, and in so many ways, Laura made her mark quietly, gracefully, never wanting the spotlight, never thinking her immense generosity and caring for others was extraordinary. It was. As was Laura.

My sincere condolences to Nathaniel, Joe and all of Laura’s family and friends. A beautiful light may have dimmed on this earth but not in our hearts as we remember her with so much love.

Nicole Smith

3/7/2021 09:27:43 pm

Laura and I first met through United Way, but I was extremely lucky to not just have her as a colleague, but as a friend. Her generosity, her tenacity, her sense of humour - she was just so amazing. She was the kind of person that immediately made you feel welcome, she could have you in stitches laughing within seconds, and she had a kind innocence that just made you love her so much. I will miss her dearly but I am so incredibly grateful that the stars aligned and allowed our paths to cross. She has forever changed my life.
Joe, Nathaniel and Laura's family (who she spoke of all the time with such love), deepest sympathies. She was a brilliant light, gone far too soon.

Elizabeth Evans

3/7/2021 11:41:21 pm

I had the privilege to have been Laura's friend and neighbour for a few years. I got to meet Nathaniel since he was a little baby. She was a dedicated and loving mother.

She was an example of being true, ethical and courage. I told her, she had been my heroe, she was, in front of a crowd, she stood up because she was compelled to do so by her ethics and courage, a true example for many that do not have the courage to do what is right. I will always remember that moment, knowing that I had found a true friend with a huge heart and an outstanding moral compass.

Laura was a dear friend to me, who cared genuinely, always had compassion and kind words for others.
Yes, her laugh was special, and made everyone feel happy. She made the most delicious chocolate chip cookies, and baked them for us several times, as a way to share and bring comfort to our family when I went through a difficult time over the past years. That was just one of many kind and meaningful gestures she had for ume and my family.

She said to me that Joe was very supportive of her through the very tough time she was battling depression some months ago. She loved Joe very much and I want to make sure he and everyone knows that. I believe Laura's friends will likely step up and be there for him and Nathaniel, that is all we can do for Laura now, be there for her family.

She knew she could always count on me and talk to me. I am here literally 24/7, I know she knew that, and she had a lot of family support, she knew that too and was genuinely grateful to have family support.
I know she did everything that she thought was to be done, and I knew she had professional help, but still, I wish I could have done more.

There are special memories of her being happy, celebrating with me unique life moments, and that is how I want to remember her and celebrate her life, her special loving touch to my life, and to many others.

Rest in peace my dear friend, I will miss you very much.
Elizabeth

Christine

3/10/2021 03:54:49 pm

Where do I even begin. Laura wore her heart on her sleeves. Her smile would light up a room. She was someone that you could talk to without any judgement. She was and will always be an angel. We worked together on the school board and have boys that are amazing friends. Her kind and loving words and awesome advice will always be printed in my mind and heart. She was a very dear friend and I will truly miss her and her generosity towards life. I wish her loved ones strength and hope to live throughout this heartache. Laura an angel indeed. Laura my beautiful friend may your soul be forever at peace. I am truly blessed to have gotten to know you.

Maggie MacMurchy

3/10/2021 07:23:11 pm

I had the pleasure of meeting Laura at a very young age. Between daycare as well as Sunday school at Knox Presbyterian Churxh and having play date visits when she and the family lived on Banting Drive in Alliston.

I remember the day when she moved onto “my street” when we were a bit older. I was more than thrilled to have my “best friend “ just two doors away on Stewart Avenue. Over the years here We shared many great times here and caused a little bit of trouble but all in good fun. She always let me come over and play computer games on her computer. Her home always smelled of freshly baked bread and cookies. Enjoy the many hours I spent with the Osborne family. We would walk to school and church and Kings Kids Choir practices. Here we grew and went through early teenage years as we shared in all of the growing girl experiences into young teenage ladies.

Laura was a year older than me and went into high school a year before I did. It was tough entering high school for both of us and I remember some struggles that we shared together. Sadly my friend ended up relocating away from Stewart Avenue. Although we had short visits in Bowmanville, it wasn’t the same, and eventually grew apart.

In the early 2000’s one day while working at Yonge in King street in downtown Toronto I thought my mind and eyes were playing tricks on me.... I saw a woman with a smile no one could EVER forget. A warm comforting face... it was Laura. Her soft voice and wonderful laught. We were reunited again! At the time she was working for United Way, we had the pleasure of meeting on a couple of occasions to share lunch, a coffee and some giggles. I eventually relocated back to north of Highway #9 and pursued a career closer to home.

Thankfully through social media we were able to stay in touch. She would keep me updated on the successes of her brother her and nieces and nephew her sisters and of course her parents. She was very proud of her marriage and I remember talking a lot about her loving experience as a mother as well.

She said some very kind words about my father following his passing last year and that I am forever grateful for. I was thankful that her memories of us growing up were as fond as my memories were. When we received the call a few weeks ago my mother, sister and I were terribly saddened to hear of her passing. She is loved and will forever be in our hearts. And that beautiful smile we will never forget.

Deepest sympathies to her family and big hugs to all. We are thinking of you all xo

Mary Cranston

3/10/2021 11:23:45 pm

Sending love and sympathies to Joe, Nathaniel and the family,
Laura was in my heart. She still is.

Darya Sawycky

3/12/2021 02:33:26 am

Laura was a gentle soul with a big heart. She cared authentically for people and she cared extra deeply for those who were in need. We worked together at United Way for a number of years. She had a great sense of humour and I can still hear the sound of her laugh in my mind. Laura always made time to talk about people and things beyond the walls of UW. We would talk about Pioneer Camp and her sister Bethany, who I had met there. We would talk about Spring Garden Church and her mom Faith. I will miss Laura. I am praying for her family and for her close friends.

Jeanette

3/13/2021 08:32:58 am

A true loss for this world. While I’ve only met Laura for a few years, I was able to witness the wonderful, sweet & strong woman she was.

From singing lullabies to Nathaniel during our baby music classes, teaching me some funny rhymes, to speaking up with authority and class when necessary.

She was always open to chat and listen, had the best tips and tricks for everything,...

A genuine caring soul, good human being and overall a lovely friend of many.

It’s marvellous how we all remember her sweet voice, contagious laugh and kindness, and while it’s very difficult to accept she’s no longer here, we may find comfort in the memories we shared.

Joe, we are thinking of you, at this time of loss. Please remember you can count on us for whatever you or Nathaniel need.

Jeanette, Marco & Alex

Karen Peacock

3/13/2021 11:44:32 am

Laura filled our lives with happiness, kindness, caring. I will carry her love in my heart forever.

Jennifer Chegus link

3/13/2021 12:12:46 pm

I had been at United Way for a couple of years when I first met Laura and had the great good fortune to work closely with her in the early years for one campaign in 2006 – a time that anchored Laura in my heart with a connection I am so grateful to hold. To say she was dedicated to her work is an understatement! Gosh, how I see her, a driven and determined twenty-something who could barely contain her fierce urgency to fill the space between darkness and light and bring hope to our community. There was never a question she was in the right place.

I have so many memories of her grit, and her grace. Her compassion and consideration. Her great wit and warm heart. Her kind voice and marvelous laugh. Feather boas, fried cheese, fun with math. Whistler. I last saw her in May, just a few months into the pandemic, and Lysol wipes a hot commodity. She had plenty, and of course offered to share. It was your typical pandemic visit – weirdly distanced yet completely at ease, so much behind us and focused on the here and now, so happy to connect 'in real life' and with the delightful background of an exasperated Nathaniel who was keen to go to the park as promised rather than hang out in some strange lady’s driveway! Ordinary. Extraordinary.

Sending so much love and heartfelt condolences to Joe, Nathaniel and Laura's beloved family.

"There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart."

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Remembering Laura Elizabeth Hohertz

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