Obituaries

LORNA DOREEN CHRISTIANSON

Lorna Doreen Christianson passed away in Winnipeg on October 25, 2020.  Lorna was born March 31, 1932 in The Pas, MB and was the youngest child of Hans and Mary (Marie) Christianson. The family moved to Wabowden, MB when Lorna was 14 and she lived there for 40 years, aside from brief residences in The Pas and Churchill. As a young woman Lorna worked for the Hudson Bay Company in Churchill. In the early 1960’s, she signed up for the Dept. of Transport Meteorological training and eventually helped “man” the weather station in Wabowden, which allowed her to report UFO sightings on two separate occasions. When the weather station closed in the early 70’s, she returned to work for the The Bay in Wabowden. Lorna was active in the community for many years, curling, fund raising with the community club and volunteering to ensure that the weekly movies and the dances went off without a hitch. She was also highly active in the drive to bring satellite TV to town. When the store closed, she moved to The Pas for a short time to work at the Metropolitan store, eventually moving to Winnipeg where she worked at Woolworth’s and then Walmart at the St. Vital Shopping Centre. Lorna resided in Winnipeg until her passing.

How can you do justice to someone’s life in an obituary? It is impossible. Lorna was beautiful, a spitfire, who had the ability to make you laugh with her quick wit. She was daring, driving cross country or into the United States to visit family when it was not common for women to do so. She never judged people by race, gender, or sexual orientation, and was not shy to speak up when she saw racism or sexism in others. She loved to help others, whether it be a person down on their luck, or a stray animal in need of a home. She was a great home cook and made amazing apple pie that ruined store pies for anyone who tasted it.

Lorna is survived by her two daughters Susie (Kim) Secord, Laurie Christianson, and foster daughter Jenny Williams, her three grandsons, Derek (Janalee), Curtis and Joey (Tara), (whom she showered with Star Wars toys as kids), and ten great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Roger Christianson of Vernon, BC, and sister Merle McFarlane. She was predeceased by her infant son Douglas, her brother Don, sisters Sandra and Norma, sisters-in-law Mabel and Margaret, and brothers-in-law Jack and Martin. Lorna loved her siblings dearly and thought of them often. She also had a close relationship with three of her nephews, Gavin (Louise), Wayne (Karen) and David (Verna) Lawrie. She loved animals and recalled fondly the many pets she had over the years whom she doted on (dogs, cats, and birds).

Lorna’s family would like to thank the caregivers at Actionmarguerite Saint-Boniface for the compassion and care they provided in her final days.

Should friends desire, a contribution may be made to Siloam Mission in Lorna’s name.