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Lauren's Life
When Lauren entered the world (3 weeks early) on March 24, 1991, we knew the moment the video camera feed went to static that she was a force in the universe.

Incredibly verbal at an early age, Lauren talked and sang with a maturity that most could not believe. Her delightful sense of humour manifested itself early and often, and she delighted everyone who came to know her by her many nicknames: Peanutty, Loo, Loo-Loo, Flower...

She sailed through school and found her voice on stage in improv and at the microphone at Rosedale Heights School of the Arts in Toronto. She played piano and cello and even "Blackbird" on guitar. Lauren was practically weaned on Beatles music. She was also a heckuva softball player and never lost her knack: just two weeks before she left us, Lauren broke an aluminum bat in two on a softball lobbed by her daddy.

Lauren and her father, Rob, had an unusually close relationship. It developed during the many years in which he was her primary caregiver while her mom Erin left in the dark hours of the morning to go to her job to wake up radio listeners. Rob reveled in his role and never once regretted setting aside his radio career for his darling Loo. How fortunate we were to be able to have so much of her early years all to ourselves.

We nurtured her talents as best we could, encouraging her every step of the way, while making sure she knew she had to earn accolades and respect. She took that lesson with her wherever she went.

One of Starbucks' youngest employees at 16, Lauren took her job very seriously. One morning when the manager was late, Lauren stood outside the store at Bloor and Jarvis (Ted Rogers Way) and encouraged jilted customers to return for a free beverage. Her initiative was recognized and rewarded by her employers more than once.

When high school ended, Lauren made her way to Ottawa's Algonquin College to begin learning radio from someone other than her parents and their friends. It was there that she met her soul mate, Philip Shirakawa in 2010. A gentle, steady soul who gave Lauren the encouragement and support she needed both in life and her career, Philip made Lauren his wife on June 22, 2013.

By this time, Lauren had already begun to leave her mark on Ottawa's 580 CFRA. Mature beyond her years, she was praised for her work ethic and sheer talent. It was with some sadness but no regrets that Lauren stepped away from the midday news shift in September of 2014 to prepare for her greatest role yet: mother.

Colin Kota Shirakawa was born at Queensway Carleton Hospital on Thanksgiving Weekend: Oct. 11, 2014. An emergency Caesarian left Lauren sad that she missed giving birth to him naturally, but grateful for his good health and safe arrival, as were we all. A better Thanksgiving could never have been imagined!

Lauren's goal to be the best mother a new baby could have was evident in every way but particularly in her unwavering determination to breast feed little Coco. They struggled together but Colin grew healthy and strong and his wide smile and easy laughter reflected the love and joy his parents showered upon him in his every waking hour.

Colin will grow up without his beloved mother, but never will the light of her blue eyes cease to shine through his.

The vast, bottomless depths of despair we share at losing our beloved daughter can only be assuaged by the knowledge that her son's loving, sweet father and the sheer energy force of the love of those who miss our dear Lauren will ensure his safe and supported passage through every step of his life.

As an only child, we would refer to Lauren as our "Limited Edition". We had no idea that on May 11, 2015 - one day after celebrating her first Mother's Day - we would learn that our time with her would be limited, too.

We cannot begin to express the gratitude we feel for everyone who has offered a story, a hug, a kind word and a prayer.

The force we recognized the moment she was born, will never dissipate. We will hold our Lauren in our hearts forever and ask that you do, too - channeling our collective grief into love and support for Colin and his dedicated father, Phil.

In Lauren's memory, we thank you.

Erin Davis and Rob Whitehead
Lauren's Mother and Father
Saturday May 16, 2015 at 2:21 pm