Judith “Mama Duck” Lasook age 68, passed away peacefully at home in Hurkett, Ontario on August 15th, 2015 with her husband Michael by her side.
Judy was born on February 4th in Selkirk, Manitoba to Mina and Ronald Favel. She resided in Selkirk until she moved to Red Rock, Ontario in 1958 with her mother, step-father Allan Palmer and her siblings. As a teenager, Judy worked at the Husky in Nipigon, where she met the love of her life, Michael Lasook.
Judy moved to Thunder Bay where she worked for the Chronicle Journal as a Type Setter. She and Mike returned to Red Rock regularly to spend time with her mom and siblings. In many ways they became like second parents to the younger ones. Judy loved all her brothers and sisters and maintained a close relationship with them throughout her life.
Judy’s greatest love was her children Tracey (Rob Lawrence) and Darcy (Katarina) and her grand-daughter Lauryn (who called her Jamma). Nothing gave her greater joy than to have her whole family together under one roof. She also had a special love for her grand fur-babies, Kitkat, Nalalu, Remy Spirit and Dodger and a love-hate relationship with her Siamese cat Miss Kitty a.k.a. “the Biotch”.
Judy loved everyone, and everyone who met her instantly fell in love with her. She had an infectious smile and an absolute beauty and grace that radiated from her and made everything around her more beautiful. She always looked for and believed in the best in everyone. Judy loved cooking, gardening, camping and music. She taught herself to play the guitar (which is fortunate since she couldn’t carry a note in a basket, not that she ever let that stop her from singing).
In 1984, Judy and Mike bought the Main Tavern near Red Rock, Ontario. It was here that many lifelong friends and wonderful memories were made. The doors closed for the last time in September 2000 and Judy and Mike moved to Hurkett, Ontario.
She loved living a simpler life but soon decided to try something new. She worked for H&R Block as a Tax Specialist for almost 10 years. During this time she also sat on the Nipigon Hospital Board as a Board Member, Vice-Chair and eventually as the Chair. She also sat on the Hurkett Local Services Board as the Chair for many years. Judy also worked for the Kinna-aweya Legal Clinic on an occasional basis. She enjoyed this position very much.
Judy then took a position with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities as a Student Financial Assistant. She loved this position, which she held until her illness forced her to take a leave of absence in December 2013.
Judy is lovingly remembered by her husband, and best friend Mike Lasook, her daughter Tracey (Rob Lawrence), her son Darcy (Katarina), her grand-daughter Lauryn. She is also survived by her brother Carl Favel (Lois) of Red Rock, sister Gail Hebert of Thunder Bay, sister Deborah Favel (Mike) of Nipigon, brother Lionel Palmer (Shelley) of Thunder Bay, brother Trent Palmer (Jean) of Thunder Bay, sister Louise Ilijow (Daniel) of Thunder Bay, sister Lois Palmer (Rob) of Thunder Bay, brother Orson Palmer of Thunder Bay and sister-in-law Connie Palmer (Nelson) of Thunder Bay and sister and brother-in-law Doreen and Norman Elliott of Goulais River, numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family.
Judy will be met in the Spirit world by her mother Mina Favel, her father Ronald Favel, mother and father-in-law Doreen and Frank Lasook, sisters Phylis, Mina and Myrna and brother Timmy.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2015 in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre, 499 North Cumberland Street with a reception to follow. Visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, Judy and her family request donations be made in her memory to the Lung Association, Paws for Love Thunder Bay dog rescue or Kitty Kare Thunder Bay.
