Misericordia Hospitals were established by the Sisters of the Misericordia in both Winnipeg and Edmonton. Laura Mears (1926-2015) completed her training at the former and after relocating to Edmonton in the early 1950s began a nursing career at the Misericordia that would span 40 years.
Early Life in Manitoba
Laura Helen Marie Mears was born on August 11, 1926, in Carman, Manitoba, the daughter of William Mears, a farmer, and Marie Dauphinais. She grew up in a Catholic family with roots in both prairie settlement and Métis heritage, and was baptized in October 1927 at St. Boniface.
Her early years were spent in Manitoba during a period marked by economic hardship and social change. Like many families of the time, hers was grounded in faith, family, and practical work—values that would shape her later life.
Training and Calling to Nursing
By the late 1940s, Laura chose nursing as her profession. She trained at the Misericordia Hospital in Winnipeg, operated by the Sisters of the Misericordia. Their approach emphasized discipline, hands-on training, and a strong sense of service.
Upon graduating in 1950, Laura was recommended by the Sisters for placement in Edmonton, where she joined the Misericordia Hospital. This kind of transition—guided by religious nursing orders—was common in postwar Canada, where trained nurses were in high demand.
Her professional standing was confirmed through provincial registrations, including Alberta in 1952, formally recognizing her as a Registered Nurse.
A Career in Labour and Delivery
Laura spent more than 40 years at the Misericordia Hospital in Edmonton, building a long and steady career in the Labour and Delivery department.
This was demanding work. It required long hours, technical skill, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. It also placed her at one of the most significant moments in people’s lives—the birth of a child.
For more than four decades, Laura Mears was present at the beginning of thousands of lives.
Over time, she witnessed major changes in medical practice, particularly in obstetrics and hospital care. Despite these changes, the core of her work remained the same: supporting mothers and ensuring safe deliveries.
Marriage and Family Life
On May 15, 1954, Laura married Peter Smith (Petras Smilgjus) at Immaculate Heart Church in Edmonton. Peter, a carpenter originally from Glasgow, Scotland, represented another strand of the Canadian story—postwar immigration.
Together, they built their life in Edmonton and raised four children: Paul, Michelle, and twins Bernadette and Colette .
Like many women of her generation, Laura balanced the demands of a professional career with raising a family. Her work in maternity care, with its irregular hours and emotional intensity, required both resilience and adaptability.
Later Years
After more than four decades of service, Laura retired from the Misericordia Hospital in Edmonton. Her career left a lasting, if largely unrecorded, impact on the community she served.
After Peter’s death in 2009, she moved to Surrey, British Columbia, living with her youngest daughter, Colette Pasini. She passed away on April 5, 2015, in Surrey at the age of 88.
Interesting Facts
How many births might Laura have witnessed?
While exact figures are not available, a reasonable estimate can be made:
- Approx. 200 working days per year
- Estimated 3–5 births per shift in a busy maternity ward
This suggests:
- 600–1,000 births per year
- Over a 40+ year career: 24,000 to 40,000 births
Even at the low end, Laura Mears would have been present at tens of thousands of births—an extraordinary, if quiet, contribution to her community.
Sources
- Manitoba Certificate of Birth
- Alberta Certificate of Marriage
- Family records and timeline summary
- Nursing registration and graduation certificates (family collection)
Smith Family Roots Ancestors
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