It is with joyful sorrow that we announce that our beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, Lorraine Glenesk, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 30th, surrounded by many members of her family.  Consistent with who Lorraine was, as a person, she left us under her own terms with strength, courage and determination.

 

Lorraine is survived by many who loved her including her husband of over 66 years, Syd; four children, Larry (Debbie), Char (George), Lynda and Kathy (Kelly); sister, Joan; sisters-in-law, Fern and Hilda; grandchildren, Heather (Rori), Lori, Andrew J. (Jenna), Coral (Mark), Andrew S. (Huma), Jeremy (Kerrie), Sasha (Keith), Christopher (Tara), Aaron, Mark (Shawna) and Jordan; great-grandchildren, Aiden, Keiren, Van, Cole, Dane, Sydnee, and Rylynn, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

 

Lorraine was born in Winnipeg on July 4, 1930, and following a brief stint in Calgary, she returned to the Norwood area, where she grew up and attended school through her high school years.

 

Lorraine was a Kindergarten teacher for over 25 years, a career she both loved and was extremely good at – interrupting it only to raise her four children and when MS made it too difficult for her to continue.

 

Lorraine and Syd met during the Great Flood of 1950 when both were working as volunteers to save and support others less fortunate.  This is a testimonial to the way she lived her entire life – always showing kindness, compassion, generosity and putting the welfare of others, first.

 

Lorraine was simply a beautiful lady – inside and out – she lit up every room she walked (or, in her later years, rolled) into.  She will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her, but we are all sincerely grateful that the decisions Lorraine made to create her own ‘loving goodbye’, to leave us with such grace and dignity, and that they have led her to a place of peace and joy where she can dance again.

 

The family is not planning a Celebration of Life at this time.  Since Syd and Lorraine always did everything together, and as was Lorraine’s stated preference, we will wait for the proper time when we can celebrate both of their long and wonderful lives – together – at a shared ceremony.  

 

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone at Deer Lodge Centre and to the Medical Assistance In Dying (MAID) team for everything you did in support of both Lorraine and our entire family.

 

In lieu of flowers the family gratefully recommends donations to the MS Society of Canada.