Sharon Dow

Lorna and I are first cousins. Her mother, Vera, and my mother, Cora were sisters; the first and second children of my Bishop grandparents.

My first memory of Lorna was at her wedding. I was a small child at the time and have only hazy memories of that day, but I can see people at the church in my memory and I knew it was her wedding.

As I grew older, we would be together at family gatherings and I remember visiting her in her home. At that time, we lived a hundred miles apart.

Then the exciting news came that Lorna, Roland, and their young daughter, Willa Rae, were moving to Saint John, where I lived. This began a series of visits between our houses. My mom and dad often visited and I, of course, was always a willing tag-along. Willa Rae was, of course, younger than I, but we were close enough in age that I still enjoyed playing with her. We had many happy times together. My mother refused to take our Christmas tree down until they were able to visit (sometimes into January.)

I remember the thimble cookies Lorna always made at Christmas time (other goodies as well, but these were a particular favourite of mine.) I also have fond memories of their Siamese cat – quite a character! We always enjoyed hearing about its most recent antics.

But my most special memories of Lorna occurred during my high school years. Grade 10 was a difficult year for me. I missed many days from school that year for an unexplained health issue.  Many mornings I would be ready for school then would tell my mom that I just couldn’t go and dissolve into tears.  As I needed to take a city bus to get there, it complicated the problem. School was not a happy place for me to be. I had always been a good student, so part of the anxiety came because I had missed so much teaching time that I was falling behind.

All this to say that Lorna became part of the solution for me. She was a teacher in a school not far from where I was attending high school. As this was also close to their home, she and Willa Rae would walk home for lunch. She invited me to come and have lunch with them each day. It would get me away from the school for that hour; give me some fresh air and exercise, and a special time having lunch with the two of them. I would bring my own lunch but also enjoy some of theirs. 

This was a time of healing for me as Lorna is a very calm person and I was touched by her generosity in having me come. It must have been an inconvenience for her, but she graciously allowed me to have this time of sharing with her. I will never forget this act of kindness.

Later, I, too, became a teacher. Upon graduation, she recommended me for a substitute position in her school for a month (as I was through early and had this time before the end of the school year.) What a privilege it was to teach alongside of her. She was a wonderful teacher and well respected in her school.

Those of you who know her, know what a gracious and lovely lady she is. I feel very fortunate to be her cousin and to have had the special times together with her. I’m looking forward to more.

Lorna, know that you are loved and respected, not only by me, but by many others who see your gracious and generous spirit.

I encourage all those of you who read this and who know Lorna, to leave a message for her under the ‘Comments’. I will make sure she knows they are there and gets to read them.