LORNA JEAN ROBERTA WALSH

We created a GatheringUs memorial to celebrate the life of LORNA JEAN ROBERTA WALSH. Collecting your stories and memories here will offer us great comfort. As we plan virtual and in person gatherings, we will share details here. Thank you for contributing to this lasting memorial. We are heartbroken to...  see moreWe created a GatheringUs memorial to celebrate the life of LORNA JEAN ROBERTA WALSH. Collecting your stories and memories here will offer us great comfort. As we plan virtual and in person gatherings, we will share details here. Thank you for contributing to this lasting memorial. We are heartbroken to announce that are beloved sister Lorna passed away on Jan. 1st. Left behind to grieve are brothers Colin (Linda), Norman, Bill (Susan); many nieces and nephews; foster daughter Chantal, granddaughter Lily; and cherished friends around the world. From the moment Lorna was brought home to Glen Park by Stan and Jean in 1958, she was our adored sister. She was raised beside the park, and in Kelowna. Shortly after high school, Lorna was selected for Canada World Youth, and thus began a life of adventure. Before she was 20 years old Lorna had experienced village life deep in the heart of Kalimantan, travelled the overland route from Athens to Tehran, danced with Syrian border guards, lived with a Palestinian family in Amman, served as a deck hand on the yacht Nirvanna in the Gulf of Aqaba, and worked on a kibbutz in Israel. She found her professional calling early as a youth worker in Tofino, and in the years she spent on the West Coast, her zest for life inspired many students. She also was the first kayak guide for Tofino Ocean, served on the Tofino council, drove the ‘Iraqi’ taxis between Ucluelet and Tofino, and contributed to many environmental campaigns. After ten years on the ‘wet’ coast, she decided it was time to head south to the great land down under. Lorna completed her education at Murdoch University in Perth, earning a Masters in Counselling. She worked at the Catholic Girls School in Bunbury for 8 years, before heading to the heart of the continent and establishing a home and a life in Alice Springs. Thus began an incredibly challenging and rewarding phase of her life. Using the medium of sport, especially baseball, she once again coached, mentored, and inspired aboriginal youth to achieve their goals. Lorna was happiest in shorts, top and flip-flops, soaking in the desert air. She loved the land so much so that she eventually became a citizen. After almost 20 years in Australia, Lorna decided it was time to come back home to Canada. Lorna had just begun a new chapter of her life in the Victoria area, when she was diagnosed with Stage Four endometrial cancer. She was given two years to live, and loved ones are so grateful that once again we experienced the gift of her beautiful spirit. We will never forget her rendition of The Road Less Travelled recited around the campfire at the Joe Rich cabin. We especially thank the medical specialists and teams in Victoria, Vancouver, Surrey and White Rock for their superb assistance in helping our sister navigate her cancer journey.