It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Lorna Stewart of Victoria, BC, on December 25, 2024, of a rare and aggressive form of liver cancer. She passed away in the arms of her loving husband Murray Gordon.
Lorna grew up in a small farming community in Winchester, Ontario. After high school, she trained as an X-ray Technologist at Hotel Dieu Hospital in Kingston, Ontario. While there, she attended Queen’s University where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Sociology and then a Master’s of Public Administration. After obtaining her Masters, she left her x-ray career and moved into public health and safety roles.
In 1989 Lorna moved to Edmonton to take on leadership roles, initially with the Injury Prevention Centre, University of Alberta and followed by Human Resources and Occupational Health and Safety, U of A Hospital. It was here in Edmonton that she met Murray and they fell in love. They were two individuals who shared a common soul. They did everything together. Where one was, the other wasn’t far behind. They retired to Victoria in 2015 and enjoyed the area to its fullest. They were fortunate to have shared many great adventures in their 34 years together and their passionate love for each other carried through to the very end.
Victoria was the perfect home for Lorna as she could indulge her passion for gardening. Here she obtained her Master Gardener designation with the Victoria Master Gardeners Association (VMGA) and dedicated much of her time to not only her own garden but in volunteering with the VMGA, soon becoming a valued member of the board and contributing to many of the Association’s successes.
Lorna loved to volunteer and was always looking for ways to contribute. One of her many accomplishments as a volunteer was co-chairing a group that established a new community health centre in North Kingston, Ontario. In 1986 with Lorna’s help, the Province of Ontario approved funding for the North Kingston Community Health Centre. It continues to operate today as the Kingston Community Health Centre. Her volunteering also included becoming president of the Local 451 union at the Hotel Dieu Hospital in Kingston and as President of the Kingston Flying Club where she learned to fly and obtained her Commercial Pilots Licence. She became interested in the environment and public transit and joined the Sierra Club and the Edmonton Transit System Advisory Board. She was a member of the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) as well as many other organizations. Lorna believed in lifelong learning and used volunteering to assist her in her own growth plans while making huge differences in the communities she lived in.
Lorna was also a strong advocate for public transit and especially accessible transit for the disabled. In 1998, she turned this passion into a career change and took on roles with Edmonton Transit where she was Director of Community Relations and then Director of the Dedicated Accessible Transit Service (DATS) before she retired. She did continue to consult in this field after her move to Victoria as transit was one of her most rewarding careers and personal passions.
Throughout her life Lorna touched the lives of everyone she met and never hesitated to help those around her. She worked hard to create a better world, to reduce her footprint on the planet and to create fairer, more inclusive communities and workplaces.
Lorna is so deeply missed by Murray, her family and many, many friends and colleagues across Canada.
Her family would like to thank the amazing doctors, nurses and staff at the Victoria General Hospital for the care, compassion, and dedication they showed Lorna.
Donations, if desired, may be made in her name to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Rick Hansen Foundation.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4664 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC, on Saturday, March 1, 2025, 2:00 pm.
For those unable to attend in person you may view the service by following the Zoom link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/
Meeting ID: 871 0861 3081
Passcode: 356596
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
36 Responses
Lorna Stewart was my manager at the University Hospital in Edmonton. I was just starting my career and remember her amazing leadership presence to this day. She had the ability to make you feel seen, heard, and valued, even on the most chaotic days. Lorna believed in people. Not just in their resume or qualifications, but in their potential. She celebrated team wins, gave honest feedback with care, and always made time for you. We lost a truly exceptional person – but the standard she set remains. Thank you Lorna!
I was so sad to hear the news of Lorna’s passing. I had the good fortune to work with Lorna starting in 2007 when she volunteered for the City of Edmonton Management Association board. I learned a lot from her over the few years I worked for the board and we had many laughs. I always looked forward to her Christmas letter and seeing the beautiful garden she and Murray created. My thoughts are with Murray and family during this difficult time. May you rest in peace Lorna.
Good boss, good person, good friend with a beautiful soul. Pretty whip smart too. One of my favourite people and she will be missed and remembered. My thoughts are with you today Murray.
My deepest sympathies to Murray and his & Lorna’s families. Such a huge loss.
I met Lorna in high school in Eastrn Ontario and give her 90% of the credit for my passing Gr 12 chemistry. Ok likely it was more like 98%. I just showed up in class and she helped me through the rest.
After Lorna had moved to Edmonton, she helped me (a single mom to two boys 11 & 12 at the time), pay for our plane tickets and took us on an amazing tour of Alberta. I particularly remember how thrilled and fascinated the boys were to get to Drumheller and see the dinosaurs.
We kept in loose touch over the years as we were living very different lives and I always loved receiving her early Xmas letters.
I can’t recall the last time I visited Lorna (possibly 2020, just before Covid) but she & Murray were well settled in Victoria and her garden was stunning! As was his model train tracks snaking its way through their back yard.
Take good care Murray, I know you will have wonderful support in the weeks ahead.
I just watched Lorna’s Celebration of Life ceremony. What an amazing life the two of you had. What a shame it was cut short. My condolences.
My Deepest Sympathy to Murray and the Gordon/Stewart families. I was so shocked to hear this sad news. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I fondly remember looking after Lorna’s garden in Edmonton when her and Murray went away on vacation. She had the most beautiful flowers and vegetables. Lorna may you rest in Peace. Thinking of you Murray during this sad time. From Frances Schlag