Lorna Jean Huestis

Lorna Jean (Coffey) Huestis died February 25, 2025 at the age of 100 after a long and full life. Born January 31, 1925 to James and Elizabeth (Little) Coffey, Lorna grew up in in Harvey Station and McAdam, New Brunswick. She completed her teachers training at Provincial Normal School at age 17 and taught in a one-room schoolhouse before attending Mount Allison University, where she met her future husband Bob (Robert). Following graduation, Lorna worked at the Saint John YWCA before she and Bob married and settled in Dartmouth.

While raising a family of five children, Lorna played an active role in her church and community. A long-time member of Grace United Church, she gave leadership at the congregation, presbytery and conference levels. She also served as president of the Dartmouth Club of Canadian University Women and on the boards of the Dartmouth YM/YWCA, the Dartmouth Heritage Museum and the Atlantic School of Theology (AST).

Lorna’s Christian faith shaped and guided her life. Once her children were grown, she began studies at AST, graduating at age 58 with a Master of Divinity. She was commissioned to diaconal ministry in the United Church, serving as a hospital chaplain and later as United Church Formation Director at AST.

True to her New Brunswick roots, Lorna served baked beans and johnny cake on Saturday night and loved Sussex golden ginger ale. She played the piano with ease, including by ear, until her final year – a talent that brought much pleasure to her and her family. Summers included family picnics and camping trips, and she and Bob continued to tent well into their seventies. In retirement, they also enjoyed travels with Elderhostel in Canada, Costa Rica and Europe. Always energized by conversation and new ideas, Lorna remained engaged with news and current events and a committed email and iPad user until her final months. Canadian politics was her passion.

Lorna was predeceased by Bob, her husband of more than 60 years; siblings Margaret Dougan, Marion Elliot and Edwin Coffey; daughters-in-law Merle Tippett and Ayira Heart; and granddaughter Elsie Huestis. She will be missed by her children David (Ann Li), Alan (Beth Durkee), Neil, Martha and Linda (Bill Kervin). She was a proud grandmother to Matthew, Malcolm, Daniel, Eliot, Ewen and Gaelen and great-grandmother to Gordon, Penelope and Beau.

Thank you to the staff at Parkland at the Lakes where Lorna spent her final year. A special thank-you to Joan Meek, Cindy Payzant, Dr. Aparna Narra and Lorna’s many friends at Grace United and 91 Baker Drive. Your love and support enriched mom’s life and allowed her to live independently into her 98th year.

A funeral will take place at Grace United Church, 70 King Street, Dartmouth on March 3, 2025 at 2 pm. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations to CARE Canada or the Grace United Church Memorial Fund would be welcomed.