Obituary of Laura Lee Hatch

Laura Lee Hatch

December 14, 1960 – November 10, 2020

It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of Laura Lee Hatch, of Calgary, Alberta, who passed away on November 10, 2020 at the age of 59 years.

Laura was born on December 14, 1960 in Calgary, Alberta, to Donald and Linda Runge. She grew up in Calgary and graduated from high school there.

She married Aubrey Hatch in 1984 and they were soon blessed with two daughters, Jennifer Lee and Daril-Lynn. Aubrey’s job took the family to both Mississauga, Ontario and Vancouver, B.C., before they resettled in Calgary. In time Laura took on the role of single-mother and raised both girls in a kind, loving and supportive home.

Laura became a professional land administrator for the oil and gas industry and was a member of The Canadian Association of Petroleum Land Administration. She worked for over 20 years for oil and gas companies both large and small in Calgary. It was at one of these companies that Laura met her common-law husband Steve Dabner and they continued their loving relationship for the final 19 years of Laura’s life.

They enjoyed travelling, sailing and their motorcycle trips in the summers but their passion was spending time at their vacation home that they built in Kimberley, B.C.

Laura was an avid and talented crafter. Her favourite pastimes were crocheting, quilling, jewelry making and needlepoint. She had a particular flair for making gorgeous paper flower arrangements.

Tragically, Laura was stricken by a very severe stroke in July of 2018 that left her paralysed on her right side and unable to speak. She undertook 3 months of intense rehabilitation at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary followed by 6 months at the Halvar Jonson Centre for Brain Injury Rehabilitation in Ponoka, Alberta. She embraced the therapies with her strong will and determination and touched so many along the way. Ultimately her efforts were rewarded and she was able to continue to live independently with Steve and her beloved kitties.

Those that knew Laura were blessed by her kindness, generosity and love. She had soft spots for animals and babies but family always came first.

Laura will be lovingly remembered by her mother and stepfather Linda and Don Lindsey, her father and stepmother Don and Lynn Runge, her sister Rhonda (Jaye), daughters Jenni and Daril, nephew Colin, stepdaughter Melissa (Brad) and husband Steve.

Donations in memory of Laura can be made to your local SPCA, the Foothills Hospital or the Halvar Jonson Centre at https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/give/give.aspx, or the East Kootenay Regional Hospital at https://www.interiorhealth.ca/

A celebration of Laura’s life will be held at a time when friends and family can gather together safely.

www.mcphersonfh.com