Lorna REILLY

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

REILLY: Lorna Julia Anne (nee Taylor) passed away at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Friday, November 18, 2016. Born February 24, 1941, Lorna was the fourth child born of Elsie Taylor (nee Greer) and William Taylor on the family farm in the RM of Montcalm near Emerson, MB. In 1946 her family moved to Haney (Maple Ridge), BC, and then to Rapid City, MB in 1953. She graduated from Rapid City High School in 1958 and from Teacher Training at Brandon College in 1959. Later that year she met Barry Reilly in Glenboro, MB where they both taught. They were married at Rapid City United Church on July 4, 1964 and had three children, Ian (1966), Sean (1968) and Katherine (1974). The family lived in Whitehorse, YT from 1970-1973 and then moved to Brandon where Barry and Lorna have resided ever since. In 1979 the family took part in a teacher exchange to Bacchus Marsh, Australia, and enjoyed travels throughout the region. Upon their return, Lorna graduated with the silver medal in Psychology from Brandon University. During her career, she held teaching posts in Glenboro, Shilo, Whitehorse, Bacchus Marsh, and Brandon. She taught at Assiniboine Community College and worked for several adult education initiatives. She retired from her final position as a teaching assistant at Vincent Massey High School in 2001. She was a gifted teacher who enjoyed working with people, and is remembered fondly by past students. In retirement Lorna visited her great-uncles’ home in Timaru, New Zealand, made extensive travels to Africa, Asia and Latin America, passed summers at the family cottage in Clear Lake, and took up numerous sewing and craft projects. She treasured spending time with her grandchildren, in Manitoba during the summer, and in Vancouver during the winter. She participated actively in Seniors for Seniors, the Brandon Wine Society, Delta Kappa Gamma and Prairie Oasis where she enjoyed socializing with friends and playing bridge. Throughout her life, Lorna enjoyed reading, theatre, movies, long walks, good conversation, dancing (especially Polka), and sewing. Of special note, she made personalized sock monkeys and Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls for her grandchildren and two generations of nieces and nephews. Her oatmeal chocolate chip cookies were a particular family favorite. Her life is remembered fondly by husband Barry, children Ian, Sean (Sherri), and Katherine (Wayne), grandchildren Zane, Van, Emika and Julia, siblings James Taylor (Elly), Margaret Hoke (Karl) and Kathleen Duda, sister- in-law Roberta Reilly, their families, and numerous cousins. She was predeceased by her parents, her brothers-in-law Peter Duda and Ernie Reilly and nephew Greg Reilly. Fellowship and reception to celebrate Lorna’s life will take place at Memories Chapel, 330 18th Street North, on Saturday, December 3, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., with a time of reflection and sharing at 1:30 p.m. Donations in memory of Lorna may be made to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation for the Western Manitoba Cancer Centre, 150 McTavish Avenue East, Brandon, Manitoba R7A 2B3. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com.

As published in Brandon Sun on Nov 26, 2016