Laurie Lee Langstaff

Laurie had ambitions, she chased her dreams, she was intelligent and loved to read, and often did spur of the moment things, like when she flew up to Calgary for a dinner party in Calgary in 2003. There she met Rhonda and they would become inseparable for 21 years; they were married on October 14, 2005.

Born in Chatham Ontario, she was raised on a farm north of Dresden, Ontario, where she became a big sister to George and was the determined daughter of Bob and Janet Langstaff; a farm girl, she was a worker. Upon graduating from Chatham Kent Secondary School, she set her sights on attending Queens University, despite her parents preferring something closer to home. She won out and would attend Queen’s, graduating with a B.A. (Hons.), then receiving her Bachelor of Education in 1986.  Summers during university she honed her teaching and leadership skills as a lifeguard and swimming instructor.  When she wasn’t at the pool, she worked on the family and neighbouring farms for extra money.

Laurie’s kindness, grace and light was shared with the Avon Maitland District School Board, and for nearly 30 years of service, most of which as a secondary school principal, she would inspire, touch and impact many people.  She began her teaching career in St. Marys and would go on to make an impact in Stratford and in Clinton.  She was lucky to have found her true vocation.  She made life-long friends when playing competitive soccer for London City.

She was a natural leader.  She loved the students, she loved to find, hire and mentor teachers.  If she hired you, please know that she would come home and brag about you.  To the many students who did not have enough lunch money, she was always there for them, too.  She gave so much and in return she was respected and liked by many.

Laurie loved her animals: her horse, Duke the pony, her many cats and a few dogs, too.  She once healed a baby blue jay back to life.  She gave a bounty of love to them all.  She enjoyed soccer, tennis and golf.  Laurie loved boating around Lake Huron and Georgian Bay; the peace she felt on the water and watching sunsets penetrated her soul.  Laurie loved to see videos and pictures of her great nieces and nephews: Charlie, Henry, Leo, Evelyn, Nelson, Lively, Ariana and Aimee.  They made her laugh and smile.

Laurie battled Leiomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer for 16 years.  She showed strength and courage at every turn.  Determined to live as long as she could and to help others in the future, she participated in 2 drug trials at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, in hopes to propel research for better treatment and outcomes for others.  In 2023, Laurie established the Laurie L. Langstaff Sarcoma Research Fund to directly support the work of Dr. Albiruni Razak; a renowned sarcoma expert.  She was truly selfless and brave.

Laurie was always appreciative of her medical team; she often spoke her gratitude to Dr. Tanya Thornton, Dr. Monique Bertrand, Dr. Fawaz Siddiqi, Dr. Brian Yaremko, Dr. Albiruni Razak, Dr. Kim Gilmour and the staff at the Happy Valley Medical Center and to the Saint Elizabeth nurses Fallon and Charlene.

Cremation has taken place.  A Celebration of Life reception will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Laurie L. Langstaff Sarcoma Research Fund.