The Grandmothers::Laura May Wooldridge

Born: May 28, 1908 at Gladys Ridge, Alberta

My Grandma Laura came from a large family. She had 11 siblings. She and her fraternal twin sister were born on May 28, 1908. My dad’s mom was born in Saskatchewan. My grandmother Laura’s childhood home is still standing. Growing up in a large family meant helping-out a great deal. She went to school until grade 8 but, then had to quit and work. She worked on her older brother’s farm as well as helping at home. She met my Grandpa Lindsay and they were married when she was 26. It was 1934 so she lived through the depression. My grandparents did what they could to find work. They worked as a team on a farm, where my grandpa was a ranch hand and my grandma cooked and cleaned. They belonged to a Young People’s Society which was a social group. They did many fun things such as dancing, sled rides, and even being the leads in plays! Eventually, they moved to the Turner Valley area still in Alberta where my grandpa worked in the oil fields. My grandma stayed home and looked after her daughter (my mom Fay). The areas around there were known as “Little Chicago” and “Little New York”. They moved to Aldersyde Alberta where they had a farm. They stayed there for several years and then moved into Rocky Mountain House. My grandma stayed home but took in boarders to make some extra money. They were young women who were just starting out their careers. She was instrumental in helping these young ladies become settled and established in Rocky. Finally, she joined my grandpa as a custodian at the high school. I have many great memories of going to the high school and running around as they worked. My grandparents only had one child, so we did so many things together. I have many fond memories of all our summer camping trips, going to her house after school to eat home baked cookies. She made thousands of cookies as she knew my grandpa loved them! She only lived block away from me, so I spent a lot of time wither her. She was a a very loving and caring grandmother. I have so many fond memories of watching put on her makeup and do her hair, making Christmas dinner, baking bread, crocheting and the list goes on. She was a great lady who did so much for others. She died on May 9, 1986 at 78 years of age. I miss her to this day.

~ Colleen Mckenzie