Lorna M. Endreson

Lorna M. Endreson, 68, of Portland died peacefully Saturday, January 11, 2014 at Gosnell Hospice House with her family by her side. Lorna fought a courageous battle with endometrial cancer since her diagnosis in March 2011.

Lorna was born in San Diego, CA on August 28, 1945, the daughter of the late Vernon Endreson and Gloria (Tingley) Lerman. She attended local schools and graduated from Portland High School in the class of 1963. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Gorham State Teachers College and later earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern Maine.

For over 32 years Lorna cared for and educated hundreds of children during her career in the Portland Public Schools. Lorna taught elementary school at Adams, Hall, Riverton, and Longfellow schools, was a Literacy Consultant, and served as Assistant Principal of Longfellow School and Principal of Baxter Elementary School. She loved teaching and consistently gave of herself for the betterment of children's education.

Lorna led an active life in both service to others, and fun for herself. As child she was a ballet and tap dancer and later an assistant dance instructor at the Three Arts Studio of ME. She was a long time member of the First Lutheran Church of Portland where she volunteered as a Sunday School teacher and Church Council member; she was a member of the Portland Elks Lodge 188, serving as secretary and Elks National Foundation Chairperson, and her passion for musical theatre led her to volunteer her services on the Board of Directors of the Lyric Music Theater in South Portland, as well as participate in a number of shows both there and at Portland Players. Following retirement, Lorna was Program Director of the World Affairs Council of Maine, volunteered at the Woodfords Food Pantry, and also enjoyed many fun times acting, dancing, crafting, traveling, and spending time with friends.

Family was at the center of Lorna’s life. She was an amazing mother and her two grandchildren meant everything to her. Spending time with them was the most precious thing in Lorna’s life.

Lorna was predeceased by her husband Lance Crocker. She and Lance enjoyed skiing, taking rides in their convertible and spending time at their condo in Bartlett, New Hampshire.

Surviving is Lorna’s daughter Suellyn Rumery Santiago and her husband Steven of Portland; a step-daughter Kate Crocker Jordan and her husband Tom of London U.K.; two granddaughters, Natalie and Danielle Santiago of Portland; two sisters, Mary Cole of Stuart, FL, and Deborah Barter and her husband Donald of Lisbon Falls; a brother Robert Lerman of Westbrook; a great-aunt Velman Schurman of Gorham, ME; a niece Kristin Cole Ives of Avon, MA; nephews Andrew Barter of Dover, NH, and Steven Barter of Winthrop, ME. Also surviving are several great nieces and nephews and many dear friends.

Visiting hours for Lorna will be held this Tuesday, January 14th from 2 to 4 PM and 5 to 7 PM at the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home,199 Woodford St. Portland, ME. An 11:00 AM funeral service for Lorna will be held on Wednesday the 15th at the First Lutheran Church of Portland, 132 Auburn St. Portland, ME. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Stevens Ave, Portland.

Lorna and her family would like to thank Dr. Christopher Darus, nurse Kelly, and the entire staff of the Maine Medical Center Gynecological Oncologist’s as well as everyone at Hospice of Southern Maine for their care, compassion, and support.

In lieu of flowers Lorna’s family suggests memorials be made to the Lyric Music Theater, 176 Sawyer St. South Portland, ME 04106 or at www.lyricmusictheater.org, or the Maine Medical Center Gynecologic Oncology Department, 100 Campus Drive, Suite 125, Scarborough, ME 04074.

Care for Lorna and her family has been entrusted to the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home of Portland. To leave messages of condolence, or sign the on-line guestbook please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com