LORNA MARION THORLAKSON (OLSON)

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

LORNA MARION THORLAKSON (nee OLSON) March 15, 1924 - August 30, 2014 Mom was born in Winnipeg and grew up in the city's West End. She was five when her father died suddenly, and she and her younger sister Elenore (Norrie) were then raised in a household with a working mother. Mom attended school at Greenway and General Wolfe, graduating Grade 12 from Daniel McIntyre. She worked weekends in Eaton's cash office while attending University of Manitoba. Mom received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1945, and a diploma in Social Work the following year. Her first professional employment was with the provincial Mother's Allowance program. She was given all of southern Manitoba as her territory and a government vehicle with which to get there, necessitating her learning to drive. Two years later, Mom took a position with the Department of Adoptions; during the 1950 flood, she helped to relocate babies in foster care to safe locations. At the wedding of mutual friends, Ken Thorlakson spotted Mom on the church steps and was captivated by her lovely smile. They married on August 11, 1950. Their daughter Carla arrived the following year, a few months before Dad left for postgraduate surgical studies in Great Britain. After Dad completed his first set of exams, Mom and Carla joined him during his postings in Leicester, then London, and lastly Rhyl, North Wales, where Patricia was born. On their return to Winnipeg, Mom set up her sixth home in six years of marriage. Derek arrived in 1959, and Ian seven years later. To accommodate their busy family, Mom and Dad designed a home that was built in the newly developing area of south Tuxedo, where they lived for the next 40 years. Mom made a beautiful home for her family. She was a loving and devoted mother, and a reassuring presence for her children while Dad's busy practice demanded long hours away from home. She was adventurous in her culinary offerings, and put her extensive library of cookbooks and recipes to good use. Mom made marvellous vinarterta and shortbread, and her apple pies were unsurpassed. Roast turkey dinners at Christmastime with the family gathered around the table are a special memory. Mom was a loving, supportive, interested, and patient Amma. She had a special cupboard full of books, jigsaw puzzles, and toys at the ready for the grandchildren. Mom led an active life outside the home, and enjoyed being involved in various community activities and organizations. For many years, Mom served on the executive of the St. John's Ravenscourt School Guild, and subsequently on its Board of Governors. She was a long-time member of the Junior League of Winnipeg, and her work with its children's museum program led to her being named a founding member of the Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature (now the Manitoba Museum). Mom served for many years on the Board of Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg. She belonged to the IODE and was named an honorary member of its Jon Sigurdsson Chapter. Throughout their years together, Mom and Dad enjoyed travels to many parts of the globe, including Australia and New Zealand, the Nordic countries (notably Iceland), Hong Kong, Greece, Spain, and Mexico. Mom and Dad joined the throngs in London to view the parade celebrating the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, visited Rio de Janeiro at Mardi Gras time, and were in Leningrad in 1991 at the time of the hotly contested name-change to St. Petersburg. They visited daughter Carla at her Canada Foreign Service postings in Rome, London, and Singapore. Mom had a warm interest in people, and a facility for recalling details of conversations and events. She was an avid reader, and had a wide range of interests. At various times she belonged to an investors' club, a neighbourhood ballroom-dance club, a ten-pin bowling league; she played golf, bridge, and one winter took horseback riding lessons. Mom even had a brief stint as a real estate broker. Toward the end of her life, Mom became dependent on others, but the warmth of her smile, her beautiful way of showing appreciation for whatever was done for her, and her obvious pleasure while in the presence of family and friends will be among cherished memories. The family extends their heartfelt appreciation to the staff at the Shaftesbury Park Retirement Home, the staff and caregivers in the W.R.H.A. Palliative and Home Care program, and the team at Friendly Caregiver Seniors Care. Mom was predeceased by her parents Johannes Olafur Olson and Gudrun (Runa) Ingridur Thompson, daughter Carla, and sister Elenore Cooper. Remembering Mom with love are Ken, her devoted husband of 64 years; her children Patricia Loewen (Michael), Derek (Katherine), and Ian (Kristi); her grandchildren Ashleigh Loewen, and Bennett, Elsabeth and Signey Thorlakson; her sisters-in-law Tannis Richardson and Deborah Thorlakson, and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends are invited to drop by the Fort Garry Reception Centre at Thomson "In the Park" Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Blvd., on Friday, September 12, between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon, to meet with the family and share their memories of Mom. In lieu of flowers, should friends so wish, donations may be made in Mom's memory to the Jon Sigurdsson Chapter of the IODE, or to the Dr. Ken and Lorna Thorlakson Fund at the Winnipeg Foundation.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 09, 2014