Obituary of Laura Gertrude Richter

Passed away peacefully on March 11, 2023 at the age of 98. Beloved wife of the late Edward (2020) for 68 years. Loving mother of Eddie and Anna of Jordan, Helen and Joe Martin of St. Catharines, and Laura and Dr. William Leskiw of Niagara Falls. Cherished Babcia of Stefanie (Jack) and Matthew (Beverley), and cherished pra-Babcia of Cynthia, Violet, Edward, Frederic, and Byron. Predeceased by her parents Maria (Lubos) and Jozef Plonka, her siblings Cecylia (Nikodem) Kalamarz, and Reinhold (Hildegarda) Plonka, and niece Rita Michalczyk (Plonka). Sister-in-law of Ginette (the late Ted) Richter. She is survived by her nephew Peter Richter and nieces Celina (Walter) Jagiello, and Alina (Henry) Matejczyk. Laura will be dearly missed by many extended family members both in Canada, Poland, and Germany as well as neighbours from Oriole Dr. who supported them over the years.

Laura came to Canada in 1948, met, then married Edward in Kirkland Lake in 1952, and settled in St. Catharines soon after. They built a beautiful home and raised a family within the Polish community. Laura worked as a sous chef at both the St. Catharines Golf Club and the St. Catharines Business Club until her retirement, all the while preparing classic culinary dishes from her Polish heritage (specifically ‘perfect little cabbage rolls’).

The family would like to thank the staff from the fourth floor at Tabor Manor and Dr. Matt Greenway for their relentless care and compassion.

Friends and family will be welcomed to a visitation on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 from 4-7pm at GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL HOME, 585 Carlton St., St. Catharines. Funeral Mass will take place on Thursday, March 16, 2023 at 11am at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 5 Oblate St. with interment to follow at Victoria Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either Community Care or a charity of your choice.