HIGDON-NORRIE, Lorna Beverley

A proud Canadian and Newfoundlander, Lorna was born in St John’s on March 24, 1956, to Elsie and Ralph Higdon and raised in New Harbour.

She completed a Bachelor of Arts in Radio and Television Arts from Ryerson and a Masters in Business Administration from York University, working for four years in broadcasting before launching an illustrious career in public policy with the Government of Canada, Telus, and the University of Alberta.

She met Ken in 1991 while serving as Director of Research and Analysis for the Citizens’ Forum on Canada’s Future (the Spicer Commission), and with her trademark determination decided before the meeting had ended that he was the man for her.  They married in 1992, and this January, they celebrated 33 happy years together.

Lorna was singularly competent, as comfortable painting delicate watercolours as ripping out flooring or hosting the entire neighbourhood for Canada Day parties.  She threw herself into her volunteer work with the Girl Guides of Canada in Revelstoke and the Kelowna Chamber Music Society, and travelled extensively with Ken to quite literally all corners of the world.  She was never happier than when she was baking hockey-themed birthday cakes and hand-sewing Halloween costumes, always while keeping a close eye on world politics and events.  One of her great joys was a cup of tea and a book, preferably with a black cat purring in her lap.

More than anything, Lorna lived for her family: her parents and extended family in Newfoundland, Pennsylvania and New York; Ken; her children, Paul, Erika, and daughter-in-law Nikki; her grandchildren Cameron and Megan; and the countless friends, neighbours and honorary grandchildren that poured through her kitchen.