Home of Jessie Macpherson Laurie - Rare find in Scotland 2018

We had the priveledge of accompaning Nicholas, Greg and Karina's son to a Youth Pro Sports Camp in July of this year. While there Karina, April and Thomas visited the castles and gardens around Scotland then we went back to St Andrews to watch Nic's games every on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

We covered a lot of ground but the part you will find most interesting is the time spent up where Grandma Laurie was born. Her father was born in Corhabbie Cottage, Mortlach which is a village right next to Dufftown. We went to the cemetery there and found the same tombstone for Alexander and Ann MacPherson that Uncle Danny and Aunt Pauline had found years ago. We also found some others. Of course this was the only day it rained.

 Alexander MacPherson and Anne Younie

Mortlach Church and cemetery

We continued on down to Cabrach. Grandma Jessie MacPherson Laurie was born at Bridgend, Cabrach. We found what we think is the cottage she was born in.

It is at the end of this little Bridge and the name on the road sign is Bridgend. It is the only cottage in that location. They named their cottages instead of giving them street addresses.

Naoto Komiya Saunders - 7 Jun 2018 born in Japan

There is a new boy in the family. Brad and Akina Saunders had a healthy baby boy on June 7th, 2018 in Osaka Japan. He is a smiley one. This is Alice's 72nd great grandchild and Mike and April's 9th grandchild.

Naoto Komiya Saunders

2 Jun 2018 - Alice Eileen Laurie Saunders Funeral

We had the funeral for Alice today. It was a beautiful day and things went smoothly. We had lots of family here so that was great. Here is the Funeral Card. The obituary and funeral service can be accessed by clicking on the link to Southland Funeral Chapel

One of Alice's requests was to have "O Danny Boy" sung at her funeral. This song was sung by a dear friend, Stephen Evanson, who worked with her at Saunders Insurance.

 It is only fitting that the bag pipes were also playing Amazing Grace at the graveside.

Chris Ward playing "Amazing Grace"

L-R: Max Holst, Jorden Holst, SpencerHolst, Thomas Saunders,

 Bill Peterson, Charles Saunders, Nic Saunders

L-R: Rob Peterson, Scott Saunders, Dave Saunders, Max Saunders, 

Ethan Cichy, Alex Saunders, Mitch Holst

We are lucky enough to have 14 of the 17 grandsons present to be pallbearers.

Mitch Holst, Bill Peterson, Rob Peterson, Max Holst, Charles Saunders, David Saunders, Nic Saunders, Ethan Cichy, Thomas Saunders, Jorden Holst, Spencer Holst, Scott Saunders, Alex Saunders and Max Saunders

The three missing grandsons, Brad Saunders (Japan), David Cichy (Australia) 

and Zac Saunders (Utah with new baby) as well as all 

the grand children and great grandchildren were honorary pallbearers. 

Also unable to attend is Nichole Van Lierde and her family of Olds, Gord's daughter.

Alice's Children

L-R: Ruthanne Holst, Greg Saunders, Allyson Cichy, Cyndi Saunders, 

Mike Saunders, Marilynne MacDonald and Tom Saunders

(Oldest brother, Gord predeceased his mother)

14 May 2018 - Obituary for Alice Eileen (nee Laurie) Saunders

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Alice Saunders

1929 - 2018

Alice Eileen Saunders (nee Laurie), beloved wife of the late Gordon Saunders, passed away peacefully at the age of 88 in Taber on Monday, May 14, 2018, on her late husband’s birthday.

Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Taber Stake Centre, 4709 - 50 Avenue, Taber on Friday, June 1, 2018 between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. and at the Church on Saturday, June 2, 2018 between 10:00 A.M. and 10:40 A.M., prior to the service.

The Funeral Service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Taber Stake Centre, 4709 - 50 Avenue, to Taber on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. The burial will follow at the Taber Memorial Garden.

Alice is survived by her children Thomas (Wendy) Saunders of Victoria, British Columbia, Marilynne (David) MacDonald of Calgary, Michael (April) Saunders of Taber, Cynthia Saunders of High River, Allyson (David) Cichy of Calgary, Gregory (Karina) Saunders of Highland, Utah, Ruthanne (Ken) Holst of Taber and by thirty grandchildren and seventy one great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Pauline Laurie, Bev Laurie, Arlie Laurie, Shirley Andrews, Jeri Saunders and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Gordon Stanley Saunders, her son Gordon William James Saunders, her parents James and Jessie (nee MacPherson) Laurie and all her siblings.
Alice was born on Dec. 29, 1929 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, the sixth of nine children born to Jessie and James Laurie. She spent her early years in Ladner, British Columbia. At the age of seventeen she moved to Taber and resided there until her passing. She met Gordon Saunders in Taber and they were married on June 16, 1948. They were blessed with eight children.

Alice was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served with love and faith in various Church callings over the years. Alice and Gordon served a Church mission in Egypt in 1993. After Gordon passed away, Alice served another Church mission in 2007 at the Family History Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Alice was a hard worker whose hands were never idle. She mastered everything she set her mind to do. She was an accomplished markswoman, cook and seamstress. When she wasn’t sewing beautiful wedding, bridesmaid or graduation dresses she loved to do any new craft. She created many wonderful quilts, handmade cards, cross stitches, porcelain dolls and fur teddy bears. Her kitchen was always filled with numerous baked goods, including her famous butterhorns. She took great joy in giving of what she had to others, including her wisdom and her listening ear. Alice had the gift of making everyone she met feel special.

Alice will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered for her many talents, her kind and caring heart and for her love of serving others.

If desired, memorial tributes in Alice’s name may be made directly to the Ronald McDonald House Charities, 111 West Campus Place NW, Calgary, Alberta T3B 2R6 www.rmhcsca.org.

The Saunders family would like to thank all the staff at the Good Samaritan Linden View Facility for their kind and loving care of Alice.

14 May 2018 - Alice Eileen (Laurie) Saunders

Alice Eileen (Laurie) Saunders passed away on her husband, Gordon's, Birthday. As a family we think that is a fun fact that she was able to go that day. We will miss her but are very gratefull for all the great things she has taught us.

There will be a viewing at 7-8pm on Friday night, June 1st at the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints, Taber Stake Center on 4709 50th Ave. Then on Saturday another viewing at 10-10:40 am before the funeral at 11 am at the same location.

https://www.southlandfuneral.com/component/obits/?view=obits&id=2794

7 May 2018 - Jude Zachary Saunders is born, son of Zac and Maddie Saunders

Little Jude was born at 12:49 am on Monday, May 7th, weighing 6 lbs 14 oz. He is the first baby born to Zac and Maddie Saunders. Zac is Greg and Karina Saunders' eldest son and this baby is their first grandchild. They are all so happy to greet this new little one!

14 Apr 2018 - Sherry's birthday celebration draws the family together.

Sherry (Laurie) Genest had a birthday and all 8 siblings were able to come!That is called luck!

L-R: Danny Ray, Denise, Jim, Larry, Scott, Sherry, Dennis, Jessie

Pauline at the piano

26 Mar 2018 - Phil Rempel

In January Phil Rempel, husband of Linda Laurie (daughter of George and Arly), was diagnosed with cancer. It was a fast acting cancer that finally took him on March 26th, 2018. He is missed!

Jan 2018 - Passing of Robert Wayne Laurie "Robbie"

Robert Wayne Laurie 1947-2018

Robbie Laurie battled cancer for a year and a half before passing sometime in January this year. He left behind his wife CathyAnn and two daughters and their families.

He is loved and missed!