Laurie Ellen Stalker

July 27, 1957 - Grande Prairie, Alberta
December 3, 2023 - Cochrane, Alberta

“What do you think success is?” asked the Boy.
“To love,” said the Mole.
-    The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse (Charlie Mackesy)

It is with profound sadness that the family of Laurie Ellen Stalker share the news of her peaceful death at home on December 3rd, 2023 at the age of 66 years. We are all so proud of the  bravery and strength she demonstrated throughout her life and especially over the past 4 years. With sheer determination and a fierce love for her family she defied all medical expectations. We know that if love were enough, she would have outlived us all.

Laurie was born on July 27th, 1957, in Grande Prairie, Alberta. She was the eldest of Jean Gray Hoag and Harry William (Bill) Hoag’s four children. Laurie had a happy childhood making memories with her siblings, friends and “the cousins.” While working for the City of Grande Prairie, she met Glen Stalker and they were married in the summer of 1980. They moved to St. Albert, Alberta, in 1982 where they spent 34 years building their careers, creating a community of friends and neighbours and raising their three daughters. In 2016, Laurie and Glen retired to Cochrane, Alberta, where they could spend more time with their six beloved grandchildren.

One of Laurie's greatest passions in life was music. She began playing cello at a young age and continued to play through her life. Music was more than a hobby, it was a community and an extended family. Laurie was a proud member of various ensembles and orchestras, most recently, a member of a group she adored, “The Good Vibrations.” Laurie was a natural musician and lifelong learner. She continued to take lessons to develop her skills and understanding of the Cello. She embodied the spirit of famous cellist Pablo Casals who on being asked why, at the age of 93, he still devoted three hours a day to practicing, Casals replied “I’m beginning to see some improvement.”

Laurie was inclusive and creative and was drawn to new experiences which fueled her successful career in the arts community. She served as the Grants and Research Director for the Edmonton Arts Council and later as the Cultural Services Manager for Morinville’s Community Cultural Centre. Laurie's contributions to the art community in Edmonton were remarkable, and her passion for the arts left a lasting impact on everyone who had the opportunity to work with her.

Time with family is what brought Laurie the most happiness, especially in her role as Grammie and GG to her six grandchildren. She had a unique talent of celebrating and encouraging each grandchild to be exactly who they wanted to be by making them feel like the center of her universe. Laurie showed the same love and support for her daughters and sons-in-law and always believed  in them, unconditionally. She was a wonderful mum, grandma, wife, daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, great-aunt, neighbour and friend and she will be remembered as the first to show up for everyone around her. Her definition of family extended beyond traditional boundaries, and anyone who was part of Laurie's life felt her love. She was an anchor who brought people together and taught us how to stay connected through celebration, food, and laughter. Laurie’s family and close friends will remember her for her strength and her kindness, and will continue to honour her unwavering love for life. 

Laurie is survived by her loving husband of 43 years, Glen Stalker, her mother Jean Hoag, her daughter Meghan Smolnicky (James), and her grandchildren Norah, Fiona, and Maeve, her daughter Alison Stalker (Bill Leinweber) and her grandson Ellis, daughter Jill Rogers (Ben) and her grandchildren Finley and Campbell, brother Bruce Hoag (Shara Line), brother-in-law Doug Britton, sister-in-law Evelyn McLaren (Cole), niece Billi-Jo White (Brent) and her children Evan and Meghan, and niece Bobbi-Jo McLaren. Laurie was preceded in death by her brother Glenn Hoag in 1981, her father Harry William (Bill) Hoag in 2004, and her sister Wendy Dianne Hoag in 2023.

In honour of Laurie's legacy of loving and supporting others, her family has requested that, instead of flowers, we each perform a random act of kindness in her memory. In Spring 2024, a Celebration of Life for Laurie will be held.