It is with unimaginable sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Laura Beatrice Spracklin (formerly Popoff) on July 15, 2026, at the age of 35, after a courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer.

Laura was born on April 25, 1991, in Cranbrook, British Columbia, to Ron and Joanna Popoff, and grew up alongside her younger brother, David. She graduated from Mount Baker Secondary School in 2009 and went on to earn her Business Administration diploma from the College of the Rockies. She spent her childhood immersed in sports, camping trips, and adventures throughout the Kootenays and beyond. She was naturally athletic, competitive, and always up for trying something new.

If you knew Laura, you knew she wasn’t one to sugarcoat things. She said what she thought, stood up for what she believed, and was always unapologetically herself. She was loyal, protective of the people she loved, and the kind of person who would tell you the truth even when it wasn’t the easy thing to do. You always knew where you stood with Laura, and that’s one of the reasons people loved her so much.

In the fall of 2009, Laura met the love of her life, Dennis, during what she later described as “a small, ordinary moment” at a gas station that ended up changing both of their lives. Their relationship was built on friendship, laughter, adventure, and deep love. They were married on July 13, 2019, and shared a life full of travel, including an unforgettable year exploring Australia together, before returning home to build their beautiful family.

Laura’s career took her in many different directions, from restaurants and golf courses to financial planning, insurance, and event planning. After becoming a mom, she returned to the Cranbrook Aquatic Centre, where she had lifeguarded as a teenager, this time stepping into the role of Head Lifeguard. She thrived there, loving the camaraderie with her team, mentoring younger lifeguards, and leading with the kind of direct, encouraging confidence that was so true to her personality.

Outside of work, Laura loved making life beautiful and fun. She enjoyed gardening, trying new recipes, discovering a great restaurant, or shopping for the perfect pair of shoes. She was always up for a camping trip, a new puzzle, a great movie or series, or a good glass of wine or a cocktail with family and friends. She loved hosting and had a knack for adding thoughtful little touches that made everyone feel welcomed and cared for. She especially treasured time with her girlfriends, sharing laughter, celebrations, and the ups and downs of motherhood together. Whether it was through competitive sports, cooking, or bringing people together, Laura lived life wholeheartedly.

Above every adventure and accomplishment, the role Laura treasured most was being a mom. Laura and Dennis welcomed their firstborn, Elijah, in November 2020, followed by their second son, Oliver, in September 2023. Her sons changed her life forever. Becoming a mom brought out a softer side of her. She became more patient, affectionate, and compassionate, and her boys got the very best of her. They were her greatest joy, pride, and the reason she fought so hard. She was a relaxed mom who really wanted her boys to just have fun being kids. Even while facing cancer, Laura’s greatest concern was never herself. It was making sure her boys would always know who she was, how deeply she loved them, and how proud she was to be their mom. In her last days, she poured her heart into writing stories, memories, and life lessons for them, leaving behind a Legacy of Life gift that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Laura faced every challenge with remarkable courage. She fought with incredible strength, always hoping for more time with the people she loved. Cancer changed so much, but it never changed who Laura was. She rarely complained, and her resilience, humour, love for her family, and tough spirit remained until the very end.

Laura leaves behind her devoted husband, Dennis Spracklin; her beloved sons, Elijah and Oliver; her father, Ron Popoff; her brother, David (Emily) Popoff, and their children, Henry and Dorothy; her brother-in-law, Wade (Nikki) Spracklin, and their sons, Hunter and Keaton; her mother-in-law, Cathy (Darryl) Spracklin; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family members, and countless dear friends whose lives were forever changed by knowing and loving her.

Laura was predeceased by her beloved mother, Joanna Popoff, whose passing earlier this year was the greatest heartbreak of Laura’s life.

It’s impossible to read Laura’s story without feeling like there should have been so many more chapters. More years, more adventures, more memories, and more time. But in her 35 years, Laura loved deeply, laughed often with family and friends, travelled, and embraced life’s adventures, especially with her boys. She experienced great joy, deep loss, and everything in between. Her legacy lives on in the family she adored, the memories she created, the example of courage she set, and the love that will continue to surround Eli and Ollie for the rest of their lives.

We will miss her every single day. Laura was one of a kind and we will tell her stories often, speak her name with love, and make sure her boys always know just how extraordinary their mom was.

A Celebration of Life for Laura will take place on Saturday August 1, 2026, at the Colombo Lodge in Cranbrook at 2:00 p.m. following an intimate graveside interment for family and close friends of Laura. You are welcome to wear traditional funeral attire or include something purple in honour of Laura. Light snacks and beverages will be provided after the service. The service will be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person, please click the following link to view: https://www.hdezwebcast.com/show/laura-spracklin-service

mcphersonfh.com