Loretta Iris Allan (nee Lockman)

Mom was born on November 28, 1935 in Fort Frances and spent her early years on her grandparents' farm in La Vallee. As a young girl she spent one summer picking and selling blueberries so she could buy a bike to ride back and forth to the La Vallee school. She later attended Fort Frances High School and worked at the Electric Bakery plus did babysitting. Through mutual friends she met the man who became the love of her life, our dad, Lawrence Allan. They were married on January 27, 1955 and started their family together. Mom wasn't just a homemaker she was also a home builder, working with dad to build their house on Fifth Street while also raising her own family plus doing cleaning and babysitting to make the finances work. Once she had raised her family she continued on with babysitting and a spot with her was coveted. We tried to remember all of the kids that she cared for and Patrick, Socholotuk, Johnston, Redford, Botsford, Canfield, Wong, Kosowick, and Armstrong is just a partial list.

Mom enjoyed bowling, aquacises, gardening and coffee time with neighbours at the Condo. Her and dad spent many summers at Quetico Provincial Park and later at Camp of the Woods and loved their trips to Hawaii where each year the stay got to be longer than the year before. Due to her many close calls she earned the family nickname of “Lightning Loretta”.

She was predeceased by dad on November 25, 2016 and missed him every moment since. She was also predeceased by her mother Edith Soderholm and Arvie Soderholm, brother Alvin Haner (Margo) brother-in law Albert Kast and on dad's side his siblings Frances, Ray, George, Alden, Kady, Lew and Ted.

She is survived by her son Darryl (Marie) of Fort Frances, daughters Cheryl McLellan (Gord) of Rockledge Florida, Lisa Morden (Randy) of Atikokan and Susan of Fort Frances; grandchildren Christopher (Randi) of Winnipeg and Dr. Allison McLellan (Jarrod) of Palmer Alaska, sister Elaine Kast and brother and sisters in law, Glen Allan, Beatrice Galbraith (Don) and Carole Homuth plus many nieces and nephews.

The family very much appreciates the care that mom received while she was in the hospital and most particularly we would like to thank the nursing staff in Continuing Care. Mom often said that “I couldn't be getting any better care.” and we completely agree.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, August 19, 2022 at 2 p.m. at the Riverview Cemetery in Fort Frances, ON. A reception will be held at St. John's Anglican Church following the interment.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Riverside Foundation for Health Care, the Alzheimer Society of Canada or a charity of your choice.

We can hear her now: “Oh Lawrence.”