Sep 23, 1952 - Sep 16, 2025

• Lori Anne Kaluski

Lori Anne Kaluski, age 72, passed away peacefully on September 16th, 2025 surrounded by close family and friends. She leaves behind an immaculately decorated apartment, a wardrobe to die for, 56 boxes of juicy fruit gum, enough roasted peanuts to choke a horse, and a beloved black cat named Freddie (not Fred).

 

Lori is survived by her daughters Alison Melia (Jamie Clarke) and Rachel Hutchinson (Genesis Guzman), her grandchildren Madeline, Noelia, Lumi, Charlotte and Liam, her sisters Kim, Debbie, Sharon, and Connie, and, of course, the man in her life—Freddie.

 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Steve and Irene, her sister Lynne, and her nephew Sean.

 

Lori graduated from Sir Wilfrid Laurier High School, then went on to receive her Bachelor of Arts from Carleton University and her Bachelor of Education from Ottawa U. She spent 35 years teaching with the Ontario Catholic School Board, where she shaped young minds with compassion, style, and the occasional existential threat (“Does your mother own a black dress?” and “Does your mother have other children?” were perennial favourites).

 

Lori loved many, many things, including music, dancing, fashion, interior design, Starbucks caramel lattes, juicy fruit gum, BBQ chips, pool running, Caesar salads, movies, Teddy Swims (yes, really), and, above all, her family.

 

Lori was always the best dressed in every room she entered, including (somewhat controversially) at both her daughters’ weddings. She was also the funniest. During her last days, when asked if anyone could fetch her anything at the hospital, she said “a billionaire with a bad heart.” Alas, no one on the stroke unit fit the bill.

 

Lori hated practical shoes, cold feet, children’s clothing with cartoon characters on it, and being told what to do. She was always herself, right up until the very end. She will be missed terribly.

 

Tremendous and heartfelt thanks go to the staff at Ottawa Civic Hospital, but especially Samir, who provided far more than nursing care for Lori during her last days, and Dr. Baeva, who was a comfort to Lori’s family during a difficult time.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ottawa Memory Clinic or the Alzheimer Society of Ontario in Lori’s memory.

 

Friends and family are invited to the funeral service at 10AM on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 (Lori’s birthday) at St. Joseph’s, 174 Rue Wilbrod Street, Ottawa, Ontario. We ask that you please wear your very best in Lori’s honour. She would have expected nothing less.

 

We leave you with one of Lori’s famous quotes: “Try not to miss me.”