Lorna Jean Klohn

How does one summarize a life well-lived in such a short space as this? Lorna, the story teller, Lorna the committed friend and parent. Lorna the traveller. Lorna the volunteer, the walker, the committee member. Lorna the writer, the generous hostess, the one we love so much.

Born in Summerland, Lorna and her family moved to North Vancouver as she entered Grade 11. After graduation she became a nursing student at St. Paul’s Hospital. During her first job as a nurse in McBride BC, she accompanied a patient to Vancouver. On her return journey she met Earle Klohn, a newly widowed engineer, and fell in love. At the age of 22 she became a parent of 3 energetic pre-adolescents. Several years later Michael was born and rounded out the family.

As the years passed and the children grew older, she began to travel extensively. At first she and Earle attended a his international engineering conferences and meetings. They continued to travel after Earle’s retirement. The list of destinations, as recorded in her many photo albums, include Egypt, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the Far East, Ireland, the UK, Mexico, Peru, Iceland and more. Everywhere she went she met new people, many of whom became lifelong friends.

After Earle passed away she continued to travel far and wide, including this year’s total eclipse of the sun. She found new love with Bob, who has been a daily friend and support.

Lorna was always larger than life, a bubbly force of energy. Her creativity was expressed in colourful fashions, scrapbooking, and an ever expanding collection of owl and rooster nicknacks and art. Ever the hostess, her heart and home was always open to travelling friends and family. On many occasions she would tell of coming across a friend from long ago. She would reconnect and resume a friendship as if no time had passed.

She left us so abruptly, left us thinking not now, not yet, not so soon. And yet here we are, now bathed in sadness, comforted by fond memories of her humour, her sense of style, and her commitment to good grammar. And so many other things.

Survived by her immediate family: children Kim (Diane), Doug (Al), Jori (Mike), grandchildren Megan (Aeron), Valerie (Kirby), Kevin (Kristin), and Andrew (Jessica); great grand children Carter and Nathan, Charlie, and Landon; sister Ruthie (Rick). Predeceased by husband Earle, son Michael and grandson Mark.