Lorraine Regina Marie Byron

Lorraine was one of eight children born to French-Canadian homesteaders in St. Vincent, Alberta. She often reminisced about her childhood on the farm—a life centred on family, faith, and community. She developed her compassionate nature and joie de vivre at a young age by caring for her siblings, helping with household chores, visiting extended family, and singing songs from La Bonne Chanson.

As a young adult, Lorraine moved to the town of St. Paul to work at St. Thérèse Hospital. Through these formative work experiences, Lorraine decided to pursue a life devoted to serving others. She went on to work in a variety of healthcare-related roles and eventually retired as a unit clerk at the Edmonton General Hospital.

As a devout Catholic, Lorraine strived to live her values through her words and actions. It was through her active engagement in her faith community that she met her husband, Gerald, with whom she had one daughter, Helen. Although she had her daughter later in life, Lorraine embraced motherhood fully and energetically. Her grandsons also benefitted greatly from her love and care.

In her free time, Lorraine followed her passion for genealogy and Canadian history and excelled as a volunteer researcher with La Société généalogique du Nord-Ouest. She was deeply motivated to preserve her French language and Franco-Albertan culture and contributed meaningfully to the oral and written histories of francophone communities throughout the province.

Despite her advanced age, Lorraine continued to value her independence. She found joy in life’s simple pleasures and expressed gratitude daily. She loved nature, Tim Horton’s coffee, going for walks, reading, and watching YouTube videos on her laptop. She was the epitome of a lifelong learner.

Lorraine was predeceased by her parents, Adrien and Anna Piquette (née Brousseau); her sisters, Germaine Gratton and Lucy Matthews; her brothers, André, Roch, Georges, and Julien; and her husband, Gerald. She is survived by her sister, Ernestine Zuidema; her daughter, Helen (Jeff) Emeny; her grandsons, Alex and Luke; as well as numerous cherished nieces and nephews.

Lorraine’s family would like to thank the staff at St. Joseph’s Auxiliary Hospital for their compassionate care. If you so desire, donations in Lorraine’s memory may be made to Chalice or Covenant Foundation.

Lorraine’s final resting place will be alongside her husband at Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum in Edmonton, Alberta.