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Ursula LaSota passed away peacefully and quickly not wanting to suffer, at Shuswap Lake General Hospital with her family by her side on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at the age of 60 years.

Ursula managed to live an extraordinary life, doing all the things she imagined. She was a hair dresser for over 25 years, starting at the young age of 15 yrs. and owned her own salon, aptly named The House of Beauty in Prince Rupert B.C. She ventured out to open a family restaurant called Ma’s Place where she created the famous Ma’s Burger for the not so faint at heart. She then switched gears and took in 4 foster children for the next 6 years. Her basement was always full of street kids who she fed, clothed, and helped until they felt good and moved on. These kids as well as her own particularly enjoyed late nights of “cat and mouse” car chases in Prince Rupert ending with pizza and burgers. She always reminded everyone to have a good time with their lives, no matter what the circumstances.

After those crazy 6 years she embarked on yet another adventure in the Yukon Territories, where she opened a truck stop at Junction 37 on the Alaska Highway. She enjoyed her time there but needed to be near her children in Kamloops B.C. where she moved to be near her daughter and son Laurie and Gregory LaSota. Ursula worked in Kamloops at the Kami Inn where she met her soul mate, John De Marni who allowed her to be her true self and enjoy spoiling her grandchild Damon LaSota, which she did with gusto. Ursula and John continued on another adventure with racing thoroughbred horses all over British Columbia, Ursula even obtained her owners license even though she started out not overly fond of horses. Ursula and John ventured to Winnipeg, Canada and Spokane, Washington to race and enjoyed every minute of life on the road, making an impression at every stop. They managed to gamble and dance with every free moment.

Ursula decided to come back to Salmon Arm to enjoy the farming lifestyle for the next few years with John. She loved planting and harvesting almost anything, but she had a special love of all flowers. Some of her favorites were peonies, sweet peas, and dahlias. When she wasn’t gardening, she enjoyed caring for the baby farm animals with her second grandchild Carly Stephens. The two enjoyed sneaking those babies into the house and allowing them to snuggle into the “big bed” with them, much to Grampa John’s dismay. Carly and her Grama were quite the team, strong-willed but gentle.

Ursula would finally start to slow down and savour the quieter times in her life after her soul mate passed away; she spoke of all the great memories and adventures she experienced. She struggled with her health but managed to see the arrival of her third grandchild Ava LaSota who brought a gleam in to her eyes. As her family settled down she decided that all was well and took a deep, cleansing breath and rested … free from worry, trouble or pain. She knew she had lived a life well-lived.

We will all miss you mum...

Thanks to the nurses at Shuswap Lake General Hospital and Dr. Venter. No formal service will be held. Memorial donations in Ursula’s name may be made to a charity of your choice. E-mail condolences and share memories at www.fischersfuneralservices.com.



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