Obituary of Lori Eleanor Lynch McDonald

Lori Eleanor Lynch McDonald 19661 - 2015 I've been given a rare gift; the gift of relaying to you all, the special stories from our family about the life and memory of Lori. As a representative of the family I want to thank all of you for gathering with us today to remember and celebrate. I use the word celebrate because that is how Lori would have wanted it. Toby, as Stu affectionately started calling her at a very early age, loved life. She was very generous and would share a coffee or beer with anyone who wanted to take a few minutes or more, to enjoy some time together. It has been too many years since we have been able to really enjoy that experience with her. I remember Toby's ability to really laugh out loud. A real honest belly laugh that was infectious and made you laugh right along with her. So as we reflect on Toby's life today let's remember her real sincere joy for life. Lori Eleanor Lynch McDonald was born to Stu and Chris Campbell in Dawson Creek on March 11, 1961. She lived with the family on the farm near Clayhurst and they moved around the Peace area for 9 years until the family located in Fort Nelson in 1970. Now the stories about Toby start almost immediately. Lori was very smart and learned very quickly by watching and doing. Sometimes however, there is a little trial and error involved in this style of learning. Chris saw this in Toby at a very early age. When Toby was 2, her grandad Walter Campbell rode over to the farm on his horse. Lori was out in the yard and was watching the horse graze as the adults talked. When the adults were finished and Grandad Walter left, Chris started back into the house. She was a little distracted as she was carrying baby Danny but she realized Lori wasn't following. When she turned to look for Lori, much to her surprise, there was Lori, in the yard, down on all fours, trying to graze just like Grandads' horse. I guess she was learning to feed herself. As I said, Lori was a quick learner. By the age of 4 she learned how to shuffle playing cards. Becky remembers hearing the story about the family discovering Lori's mastery of the skill like this. Lori always wanted to play cards with the older kids. Of course, none of the older kids wanted to let her in because they felt she was too young and not capable of playing the game with them. Stu finally stepped in and convinced the older kids to allow her into the game. When it came Toby's turn to shuffle up and deal, the older kids thought it might take forever but Toby accomplished it like a Las Vegas dealer. I can imagine Stu brimming with pride as Toby showed up all the older kids. Lori was not only very smart, she was also fiercely independent. Born the middle child of 5.But when you consider the extended family of 10 kids with Mary and Johnny's clan, Lori was sixth. Lori had to learn to be direct but cautious and sometimes a little scandalous in her approach to life. If she wanted something she had to be straight forward but careful about how she dealt with the older siblings who thought they knew so much more than her and a little cunning and guileful to keep the little ones from whining, crying or tattling on her. But once again, she had to learn these life skills by trial and error. Ruth remembers when Lori ran away from home. Lori was 5 and they were living on the farm with the house on the top of the hill. The older kids would not let her participate as usual. Lori got mad and decided to run away from home. She marched up to the house, packed her lunch kit with peanut butter and jam sandwiches and started off on her new life. She got half way down the hill, sat down and ate her sandwiches. As she finished her lunch, she realized she was still hungry and came back home. That was when Lori realised that she had to modify the direct approach method a little bit. Lori could never hold a grudge for very long. It wasn't easy growing up the middle daughter in a family of 3 girls. The family wasn't exactly flush with cash while they were growing up either. As the girls got a little older and started wearing the same size clothes, the family adage was "whoever got up first got the best clothes and shoes that day." Now I know why there's no room for my clothes or shoes in my closet. Lori learned some wonderful skills early on in life that she shared with all of us. She learned to sew and she learned to sing and play guitar. I know you all remember her beautiful singing voice and her love for playing around a campfire. I think that is what I miss the most. Coleen taught me how to play the guitar but Lori was always there to help out and give encouragement when the tips of my fingers felt like they were bleeding. A new chord now and then or a melody I just couldn't master, Lori was always willing to help. Stu and Chris especially loved to hear Lori play and sing with her sisters. They'd often play as a trio and sing the song "Do What You Do Do Well Boys". Lori loved to sew. Lori often made clothes for Bobby and Dionne and the nieces and nephews. She would later turn that skill into a business with 2 good friends Cheryl and Carrie. The business was called "Baby Buds" where they designed and sewed cloth diapers for Moms in the Fort Nelson area. But this skill too has an early story of dubious nature to it. When Lori was 5 or 6, she and Evie would design Barbie Doll clothes. During that time Mary had a fancy new Singer sewing machine set up most of the time on the dining room table. When Chris and Mary were busy out tending the garden, Evie and Lori would take unauthorized turns on the sewing machine sewing up their doll clothes. Finally, Mary figured it out and just taught them how to use it properly. The rest is history. Lori met Monty McDonald when they were both working for Cooper Barging in Fort Nelson. Campbell meets McDonald and the fireworks began. If you have ever been married to a Campbell woman, you will know exactly what I mean. Campbell women share some family traits. They are loving, giving, caring, kind, faithful, romantic, but just cross them wrong one time and look out! Lori was no exception. You always knew where you stood with Lori and that was refreshing; Difficult but refreshing. Back to the Cooper shop. There are more than just a handful of stories from that part of Lori's life. Most are stories for around a campfire with a couple of drinks and I won't tell any here. I do remember that Lori loved working there. I was hanging around quite a bit in those days creating my own stories with Coleen but Lori was often at Stu and Chris's talking about work and releasing a frustration or two. She'd often curse old Ed Cooper with one breath and then in the very next breath tell us what a great guy he was. I know there was a mutual respect there. Some might even say that Lori was the only person in Fort Nelson ornery enough to get along with old Ed. I'm not sure if I remember this story quite right but I'll tell it any way. Cooper's had a very old shop in Fort Nelson on Muhammad Alley. As Lori told it, old Ed's boys tried for years to get him to build a new shop but Ed would have nothing of it. Lori was working out of a skid shack office building and it was starting to get pretty worn out. It wasn't until Lori put the bug in old Ed's ear that she could use a little better working conditions that he relented and sprang for a new shop. Lori and Ed had that much respect and admiration for each other. Lori married Monty on August 26st 1983 in Fort Nelson. Dionne was born on March 22, 1984 and Bobbie was born on Sept 8, 1985. Lori loved those kids and was a terrific mother. In fact Lori loved all children. She always had time for every one of her nieces and nephews. Becky recalls that Auny Lori always kept them all in line but knew her limits. Like the time JJ got into Monty's old shed and found a bunch of fire extinguishers and decided to be a fireman and blew them all off. Lori knew she better let Monty look after that opportunity for behaviour modification. Jenni and Dionne both remember Toby dressing up for the Fort Nelson Rendezvous. They remember how beautiful she looked and it instilled a need to dress up themselves. Dionne and Jenni both still get dressy or jump into a costume every chance they get. Whether Lori was making popcorn for a family sleep over or singing around a campfire, every one of our kids has a fond memory of Aunty Toby. Lori was predeceased by her father Stu, and from her extended family, Johnny Campbell and Gloria Baker. They will all be sitting at a card table waiting for the rest of us to join them for a game of hand and foot. The family and I wish that these few stories will remind you all of stories of your own experiences with Lori because these stories are what keep her in our lives. I'd like to end with a few words written by Bea Galliazo the youngest of the 10 kids in the extended family. My memories of Lori are varied and scattered; I try to collect them and in the end I feel battered My eyes well up, my tummy tightens But I know that tomorrow that load will lighten I close my eyes and think of her awhile Her bright blue eyes glitter, sparkle and I see her smile. A funny word, a deep throated giggle A hug, a squeeze and I start to wiggle! A sister, A mother, A daughter, A friend; Love like that can never end Our love for all will be as it should; our love for Lori is with us for good. A bond that tight can never be severed; Lori will be with us all forever Interment Peace Valley Cemetery Spruce Street North TAYLOR, British Columbia, Canada