Laraine Hope Ryder

October 7, 1946 – January 4, 2023

With sadness, we announce the death of Laraine Hope Ryder at the age of 76. Laraine, will be greatly missed by family and friends including her daughters Mayna (Thor), Naomi (Ciaran) and Davia, her grandson Oscar, mother Stella and siblings Gerry (Jacqueline), Patricia (Nick) and Don. 

Laraine was born in Geraldton, Ontario, and spent most of her childhood in Niagara Falls. She left Ontario immediately after high school with a sense of adventure and desire to see the world that took her to Australia, the South Pacific, and through most of Central and South America. 

Laraine met her future husband Bert while working on Vancouver Island and they were married in Molokai, Hawaii in 1977. The pair bought land at Mabel Lake, BC, built a house where they lived for 45 years and raised their three daughters.

Laraine devoted her life to caring for others. She was a proud and committed mother, waking up early to drive her daughters to sports practice or music lessons, and managing the household largely on her own while Bert worked in remote locations. Laraine was also passionate about children’s education: she trained and worked in the Waldorf school system and as an early childhood educator. Later in life, Laraine cared for the elderly and people with disabilities.

Those who knew Laraine will remember she was very organized with a strong work ethic, and she liked to garden and go to the beach. In recent years Laraine struggled with memory loss, but always recognized and remembered the people she loved. She passed away peacefully in Salmon Arm, one month after Bert’s death. In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to the Alzheimer Society of BC.  A joint memorial for Bert and Laraine will be held in the spring.