bout de papier, Vol. 13, No. 1 (1996) — Spring 1996 // Printemps 1996, p. 41
Jeff LeBane provided the following eulogy during a memorial service for Carla Thorlakson in Ottawa on January 22, 1996. Carla died, surrounded by her family, in Winnipeg on December 9, 1995.
Carla had four enduring interests in her life: a love of travel and exploration; a deep commitment to her work; her family, roots and tradition; and a heartfelt appreciation of friendship.
Carla’s love of travel and exploration began even before she joined the foreign service. She had already spent a year in Italy and to subsequently have her first posting in Italy was a source of great joy to her. She was fluent in Italian, and loved all things associated with the country, including its cuisine. In subsequent years she travelled widely in Europe, Asia and North America with her undiminished sense of inquiry about all things surrounding her. From her first holiday outside of Italy to visit me in Greece, to her last holiday from Singapore to visit my family in New Delhi, she never stopped.
Carla gained this love from her own family and their long history of migration to Canada from Iceland in the 19th century, especially from a great-aunt who influenced her greatly.
Her sense of inquiry was combined with a strong attachment to her work. Carla was a professional foreign service officer who had the deepest commitment to the immigration program. Yes, she was meticulous and exacting in her work but it gave her such great satisfaction. She loved her craft. Her final accomplishment was the ’Reporting and Liaison Handbook’, a tool enabling immigration officers to strengthen and broaden their abilities to produce focused and relevant reporting. Carla truly practised and reflected excellence in any task she took on — it was in her blood to do nothing else.
Carla comes from a close-knit family. No matter how far afield she travelled, Carla kept in close touch with her family and visited home — Winnipeg — at least once a year. As well, her family’s long commitment to Manitoba, their sense of social duty and medical professionalism influenced Carla greatly. She was especially close to her sister, Pat, whom we are honoured to have with us today.
Carla appreciated friendship and had a wide circle of friends. I have been Carla’s friend since the beginning — as native Winnipeggers we joined the Immigration Foreign Service on the same day in 1973. Indeed, we travelled to Ottawa on the same flight. Over the years and despite whatever miles separated us, we always kept in touch, sharing our adventures. Carla came to our wedding, and visited our family often, in Canada and overseas. She knew our three children well, and tolerantly I might add. Carla and Pat shared an evening at our home last August, what was our last together.
Carla was very stoic over the past difficult years. She very much did not want to dwell on her health, nor did she want others to do so. She wanted to get on with life and make the most of it.
I know she would be very pleased and happy to see you here. This is a fine celebration of her life. Even though Carla was a private, modest person I know she would be touched and smile warmly at today’s remembrance.
There are just three things I would like to say to Carla today, which I am sure you all share:
I am sorry, Carla, you had to leave us
so early.
I will keep your memory as something
very fine.
I wish you safe journey.
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Originally published in bout de papier, Vol. 13, No. 1 (1996) — Spring 1996 // Printemps 1996, p. 41. Read the rest of this issue →
