Laurie Lee Langstaff

October 8, 2024

Home Obituaries Laurie Lee Langstaff

The world needed you, and for your 62 years, 1 month and 27 days, you did so much with your life! 

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.

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A true servant leader who always put the kids needs first. The world needs more like her. Our sincerest condolences.

~ Joe and Will Laurie

We met at a Vice-Principal conference in 1998 when we shared a hotel room with our mutual friend, Nancy Fader. Little did we know that we would become such close friends as the Principals of Stratfords two rival public Secondary Schools (Northwestern and Central) in 2001. Our students and our staffs might have felt rivalry, we certainly never did. Laurie knew the AMDSB culture and the other admin staff, I did not. I will never forget her hilarious looks as she trained her eyes on me and willed me to be quiet in staffing meetings--either because it was mutually beneficial or because it was beneficial to her. She'd say, "let them argue, we sit in the weeds and pick the cream of the crop." We were storm-stayed together in Stratford on more than one occasion, and other times she drove us through unplowed roads in four-wheel-drive to get us both home. What I remember from those occasions is the laughter, we always had fun. Rhonda, you were the love of her life. You know that, and so does everyone who was lucky enough to know the two of you. No one has fought a more valiant battle than the two of you. Laurie loved and depended on you so much, but she knew how you loved and depended upon her too. There's a reason she lived longer than anyone else after her sarcoma diagnosis--you are that reason. You attention to the details of her treatment was helpful, but you strong love for one another was actually the key. The lillies she gave me to plant will always be a reminder of the nurturing, straight-forward, intelligent and yet private person who was Laurie Langstaff, I will miss my wonderful friend every day.

~ Debbie and John McNair

My heartfelt sympathies to all. Laurie was my soccer coach for 5 years at St. Marys DCVI. She was so influential at our school. She truly understand the importance of connecting with students. In addition to playing soccer at school, we played in an indoor soccer league in London with Laurie. I have so many great memories of her. I also became a teacher in AMDSB. I enjoyed connecting with her when I would occasionally see her. What a loss but what a legacy she has left.

~ Candy McEwan

Laurie was my grade 9 teacher coach, new to teaching I believe, I was one of her first students. In grade 9, I was new to high school; she was new to teaching. This became a great banter place; as I played soccer and she allowed me to pretend I was in her advanced level English class with my team mates. I would go to her class and not want to leave before it began, in those few moments before her class began she actually did encourage me to achieve an advanced level of English. Because of this and her encouragement I am a commercial lending land development female in a very male industry. I've thought of Laurie often, and it breaks my heart to know that she is gone today. It does also break my heart again to read that she fought a disease for 16 years; and made space while doing that in her name for cancer research prior to her passing. Very fitting to her personality in life. I will donate to her memory to it. In honour, of how she changed the trajectory of my life. I encourage all or any students reading this to do the same.

~ Jill

Condolences to you Rhonda, George and families. We are thinking of you as you celebrate Laurie,s remarkable life and the memories you shared. Love to you all ❤️

~ Carol & Chris Foster

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