Celebration of Life Notice:

It is with hearts full of love that we invite you to join us for a magnificent Celebration of Life for
our beloved Winifred LaVerne Lau, on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at St. Theresa’s Cathedral at
11:00am. There will be a photographic display at 10:45am.

Viewings will be held on:

1. Wednesday, 26 February at St. Peter’s Schoolroom from 5:30pm-7:00pm
2. Thursday, 27 February at St. Michael’s Church, South Shore Paget from 5:30pm –
6:30pm. After the public viewing, especially for those of the Catholic Faith, the Rosary of
the Glorius Mystery will then take place at 6:30pm and a Vigil for the deceased will take
place from 7:00pm – 7:30pm.

LaVerne was pre-deceased by her parents, Frederick James Ming and Florence Louise Ming
(nee Roberts), her grandparents: Winifred (nee Paynter) and Maurice Roberts; Albertha Ming,
her sister and brother-in-law: Winnie (nee Lau) and Wellington “Welly” Phoa. Other loving family
members will be mentioned further into our rememberences.

LaVerne, as she was affectionately known, was a devout Catholic, a faithful servant of God in
her 80 th year, who will be forever loved, missed and cherished her husband of 45 years, Ronnie
Lau, her daughters, Jill Virgil and Jodi Virgil (Allan) and her beloved grandsons Gabriel Smith
and Ethan Smith.

Laverne will also be lovingly remembered and missed by her siblings, Cheryl Gadette, Dr.
Frederick “Warren” Ming (Jocelyn), John “Johnny” Ming (Carol), Darlene Livingston (Donovan),
Lisa Ming, Brother-in-Law, Richard Lau.

There are many other family members and friends who love LaVerne, including
Nephews and Nieces: Dwain Smith, Dion Smith (Marta), Jihan Gadette, Alfa Ming (Atsuko),
Nzingha Ming, Nabil Ming, Antoine “Butch” Parfitt, Cainan Ming (Gabriella), Jade Cole
(Keenan), Hannah Blyden, William Lau (Yi Ling), Bryan Lau (Joanne), Mark, Andrew, Timothy
and Rebecca Phoa.

Great-nephews and Great-Nieces: Delricien Smith (Heather), Brandi Smith-Knights (Korin),
Dion Atlantico (Melissa) and Valentino Smith, Lila Ming, Jahzarah Pluck-Ming, Lyani Smith,
Alaysia Parfitt, Elisha Ming, Sarah, Ashley, Chloe and Julien Lau, Jenna, Leo, Nicki and
Elizabeth Phoa.

Great-Great Niece: Azaryah Smith

Cousins: Aloma Foggo, Chris Bernard (Tina), Bruce and Ian Foggo (Roanna), Christina
(Benny) and Caitlin Bernard (Tyler), Amanda Bourquin (Joe), Gary Kent Swainson (Alma), Lynn
and Suzanne Gordan, Jeremy, Jaiden and Norianna Gordon, Claire Bean (Arthur), Allison
Marshall, Brian and late Arthur “Butch” Bean, Lynda Russell (late Rennard), Francine (Perry)
Mason, Dr. Gina Tucker-Smith (Curtiss), Kim Tucker (Sonya), Kurt Ming (Andrea), Kent Ming,
Charles Fox, Sinclair Fox, Adwina Jones, Dwayne Jones (Zorita), Clay Cartwright (Malika);
Floyd (Ann), Llewellyn “Rusty”, Michael and Bryan (Kathy) Ming.

Godmother: Gloria Leverock

Godchildren: Barclay Simmons, Allayne Simmons, Ligaya Sanchez-Wilson

Special Friends: Marlene Warren (Cranston), Pat Wade-Smith, Edna Simmons (Everard),
Pauline Copeland (late Jimmy), Carole Figueiredo, Paula Tucker (Anthony), Ellen-Kate Horton,
Libby Cann, Marlene Christopher, Corin Smith, Patricia Robinson (Eric), Denise Kane, the late
Hillary Lightbourne, Irene Baez, Paulette Lim (late Victor), Michael Bean, Elonda Stevens (late
Noel), Ann Rego (Arthur), Dai James, Grace Levecchio, Lucy Attride-Sterling, Lesley (Millard)
James, Eddie (the late Eve) Wright, the late Willa Tucker, the late Gaynelle Smith, Lynn Smith,
Louise Vizien, Linda-Lee Tavares, Maura Almeida, Virginia, Heather and the late Carrie DeSilva,
Katherine Garcia, Susan Ang (late Edward), Carol and Mitch Cann, Oliver and Marlette Darrell,
Kevin and Vivian Lim, Royce Bowen (Roy), Winfield and Marie Sanchez-Wilson, Richmond
Simmons Jr., Isabelle (late Kirby) Blackstone, Denise Osan (Hakan).

Special Bonus Nieces and Nephews: Tammy, Kristy and Cranston Jr., Jessica Figueiredo,
Jessica Lightbourne, Jonathan Lightbourne (Jennie), Roderick, Kevin and Katie Copeland,
Georgina and Danea Tucker, LaTanya and Millard Jr. James, Marie-Sophie, Gabrielle and
Willam Brackstone, Ertan and Volkan Onel.

Special Family Groups: The Turini Family, The Fox Family, The Stines Family, The Anderson
Family, The Wade Family, The Swainson Family, The Wellington Family, The Slip Road Family,
The Ess Hill Family.

Special Church and Community Family Groups: The St. Michael’s Family, The St. Anthony’s
family, The St. Patrick’s family, The St. Theresa’s Family, The Stella Maris Family, The Roman
Catholic Diocese of Bermuda, The Heron Bay Family, The St. David’s Primary Family, The
Paget Primary Family, The Southampton Preschool Family, The Mount Saint Agnes family, The
Associate Sisters of Charity, The staff of Evolution Healing Centre, The Bermuda College Life-
Long Learning Centre, Dr. Edwin Smith and her entire Bermuda College Art Classmates.

Pre-Deceased Family Remembered in Love

LaVerne was also pre-deceased by many who loved her dearly, including:

Great Aunts: Norma Houghton (Allan) and Nina Swainson (Arthur).

Aunts: Maracheaux Barnard (Charles), Olivia Roberts, Muriel Smith, Willamina, Irene, and
Doris Ming, and Ethel (Ben) Green.

Uncles: Ruigg Roberts, Norris (Joan), Thomas “Blue” (Esther), Sinclair, and Tilla Ming.

Cousins: Marie Tucker (Richard), Milton Houghton, Elanor Jackson (Arnott), Freddie, Howard
and Arthur (Stella) Swainson, Allan Ming, Linda Waldroup (Gene), Elaine Barnard, Richard
“Buddy” Tucker Jr., Albertha ”Bertha” Jones (David), Doreen Gordon (Frederick), Nicky Gordon,
Curline Caisey, and Ismay Steede.

Father of Jill and Jodi: Neil Cuthbert Virgil

For those we may have missed, please feel free to share a rememberence, so that we may
lovingly add it to our tribute book. We are so grateful for all who loved LaVerne and we thank
you!

We will miss our beloved LaVerne every day and will always celebrate the gift of love she
shared and lived.

Thank you for all prayers, calls, cards, visits and general support as we have navigated this
challenging time. As a family, we appreciate greatly.

For anyone who cannot attend in person, please join us via live-stream, hosted by Trevor
Lindsay at TNN Facebook.