Lorna Anne MacLaren

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beautiful mom, Lorna MacLaren. She was the cherished mother of Scott, Kerry (Sandy), Tracy MacLaren & Shelley Pilling. She was the adored grandmother of Kira (Ingmar), Logan and Kaz Kotilla, Ryan (Leah) Laderoute, Morgan, Drew (Becca) Pilling and Kate MacLaren, great-grandchildren, Reese and Diem Laderoute, Eilif Dalen and several nieces & nephews. She was predeceased by her loving husband Norm, son-in-law Steve Pilling, sister Betty Johnson and brother Norm Chambers. Lorna grew up in Sardis, spending her summers at Cultus Lake. After completing High School at CHS, Lorna attended Vancouver Normal School, Royal Roads University and UBC to earn her teaching credentials. She taught in Prince Rupert for one year then returned to the Chilliwack School District where she thoroughly enjoyed inspiring her students to learn over the course of her 30-year career. In 1954 Lorna met the love of her life, Norm, at the Cultus Lake roller skating rink and in August 1956 they were married. Within 8 years they had four children and built a home in Sardis where they resided until retirement. After retirement they built a home at Cultus spending the next 27 years travelling and enjoying life at the lake. Lorna had a great love for music and for her community. Throughout her life she was very involved with different organizations such as the Chilliwack Academy of Music, Club 28, Lions Music Festival, Chilliwack Festival Chorus, and PEO. She was also an active and devout member of St. John’s Anglican Church. She enjoyed singing in the church choir as well as “Friends in Harmony”. In recognition of her years of volunteering she was awarded the Rotary Foundation’s Paul Harris Fellow as well as being named Chilliwack’s Woman of the Year in 1996. Lorna was lucky to have many special friends in her life whom she loved to spend time with travelling, walking, going to the symphony, dinner parties, or a visit over a cup of tea. She was gracious, kind and giving of her time. Spending time with her family and watching her grandchildren & great grandchildren grow up brought her great joy. She loved sharing her gift of music with her grandchildren who are forever grateful. The family would like to thank Lorna’s many friends who supported her throughout her illness. You were her sunshine and strength and she was grateful for every visit. The family would also like to send a heartfelt thank you to the wonderful and caring staff at Abbotsford Palliative & Complex Care Unit at ARHCC and Chilliwack Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John’s Anglican Church or The Chilliwack Hospice Society. Memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 22nd @ 2pm at St. Johns Anglican Church, Higginson Road.