Laura CHRISTIE

(nee Christie) 1913 - 2002 Laura was born March 11, 1913 to the late John A. Christie and the late Ada Patterson. She attended Kemptville Public School, Kemptville High School, University of Toronto and Ottawa Teachers' College (1935). Laura's teaching career began in Burritt's Rapids in 1935, where she taught until her marriage to Ernest M. Winford of Brockville in 1940. She taught at Cornwall Public School (1941-1944), Prescott Public School (1950-1951), Kemptville Public School (1952 - 1956) and City View Public School (1957 - 1962). Laura became the first female Primary Supervisor (1963-1968) for the Nepean Board of Education which later became the Ottawa-Carleton Board of Education. In 1945, Laura and Ernie became the proud parents of John Richard Winford (deceased July 1999). While living in Brockville, during her non-teaching years (1945-1950) raising her son, Laura was also involved in many civic activities. She was elected president of the Brockville Theatre Guild, and was also acting and directing during which time the Brockville Theatre Guild won the Eastern Ontario Drama Festival. "Our Town" was taken to Calgary, AB with full cast of 37 to compete in the Dominion Drama Festival. She was chair of the I.O.D.E. where she also produced spring and fall fashion shows in conjunction with the Brockville merchants and John Stetson Co. who designed the hats for the ensembles. The proceeds of the fashion shows were used to introduce the first bursary sponsored by the I.O.D.E. in Brockville. Laura was the author of a popular book, Let's Get Ready, while with the Nepean Board of Education for which she was honored by an invitation to speak on primary education and on her book, to the annual meeting of the International Reading Association in Anaheim, California. There she had the joy to work with several leading primary educators. After the death of her husband, Ernest M. Winford in 1968, she left her career in education to marry Mr. William Collie Sr. of Collie's Woolen Mill in Appleton, Ontario. Hence, began her yearly trips to Florida as her winter haven. After the sudden death of Mr. Collie in 1973, Laura married Mr. George Sheard of Sheard Fabrics Inc. of Coaticook, Quebec in 1975. Following Mr. Sheard's death in 1985 Laura returned to her roots and bought a cottage near Brockville. Mr. Otto C. Smith, her very good friend from Florida, loved and comforted her dearly until the end. Laura B. Sheard was content. Her tremendous faith in the Lord has sustained her through all of her life's passages. We will miss you Laura. May you go in peace, for you have been a beacon of light for all of us through your honorable, righteous and loving examples. God Bless. Laura is survived by a daughter-in-law, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Many heartfelt thanks to the wonderfully thoughtful, professional and caring staff at the Madonna Nursing Home in Orleans - a true home away from home. Friends may call at the Westboro Chapel of the Tubman Funeral Homes, 403 Richmond Road (at Roosevelt) on Thursday from 10 a.m. until service time. Funeral service will be held in the Chapel on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. followed by cremation. The Ottawa Citizen, 22-05-2002