We are saddened to announce the passing of Lorna Dawn (Whitney) MacVicar at Seaview Manor on Friday, July 16, 2021. Born in East Orange, New Jersey, Lorna was the daughter of the late Percy and Elizabeth (Boutilier) Whitney. She was the youngest child and the last surviving member of her immediate family. She is survived by daughter Diane (David) O’Connor (Rothesay, NB), granddaughter Susan (Elad) Yarom, son Ross (Eileen) MacVicar (New Glasgow, NS) granddaughter Jessica MacVicar (Jeff Patriquin), great grandsons John and Aldun, grandson Duncan MacVicar (Priya Sam), daughter Dawn (Robert) Gould (Glace Bay), daughter Karen (Greg) Bower (Middleton, NS) and grandsons Daniel Bower and Robert Bower.
Lorna was predeceased by her husband and partner in music, Aldun MacVicar (1986). She was predeceased by her only sister Isabel Foster, brothers Charles, George, John (all of New Jersey), Harry, Ralph, Gib (Glace Bay), Bobby, Frank (Ottawa) and also brother Arthur in infancy. She was also predeceased by her sisters-in-law on the Whitney side and her husband’s sister Dolna MacVicar and special friend Ross Campbell.
Lorna was known for her singing, and from an early age she enjoyed performing on occasion with her brother Gib’s orchestra, and later sang with her husband Aldun’s orchestra, The Acadians. She also sang with The Right Stuff, a big band based in Sydney.
Lorna resided at Seaview Manor for the past 7 ½ years, and she enjoyed the many concerts there in the Munroe Room, singing along to all the old standards. Even when her communication skills had diminished, her memory of song lyrics stayed strong.
She was an adherent of St. Mary’s Anglican Church and a longtime member of St. Mary’s Choir. She was a member of Island Voices, The Magic Touch Quartet and the Breton Belles Barbershop Chorus.
Even though Mom’s main job was in the home, she had several outside interests: she was past President of Caledonia Home and School Association, a member of St. Mary’s Social Club, and she was a volunteer with Books on Wheels and did Portering at the Glace Bay Hospital, a job she very much enjoyed. After high school, Lorna moved to New Jersey to live with her sister. She stayed there for a year and a half, working at the Prudential Insurance Company in Newark. She and her niece Lois enjoyed many weekends in New York, going to Broadway shows and sports events. It was the time of her life. Eventually, she returned to Glace Bay and worked at Eaton's until she married and started a family.
Being the disciplinarian in the household, there were no shenanigans when Mom was around. She also made sure we all had a good grounding in “the three r’s” before we attended school. She had a unique way of letting you know that your grammar was not up to par. Asking, “where is my book at?” would be met with, “I think it’s behind the AT!” Lesson learned.
Mom adored her grandchildren, and enjoyed her time with them. Being able to spoil them and send them back home gave her great joy! Meeting her great grandsons was a special day for her. We wish to extend thanks to the Tidal View staff at Seaview Manor. Special thanks to former neighbors Anna and Skip Nash, who went above and beyond to ensure Mom was safe in her home. Arrangements have been entrusted to Patten Funeral Home. Visitation will be held at Patten Funeral Home on Friday, July 23 from 6-9pm with a Funeral Service at St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Glace Bay on Saturday, July 24, at 11:00am with Rev. Myrna MacMullin officiating. Interment to follow in Forest Haven Cemetery. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.pattenfuneral.com. If desired, donations in Lorna’ s memory may be made to St. Mary’s Anglican Church, St. Mary’s Cemetery Fund or a charity of one’s choice.
“So sleep, sleep in peace and rest
Don’t be afraid of the darkness
All’s well for over the land and the sea
God’s keeping the night watch for you and for me.”
