On June 25, 2025, Lorna Lee Lawson (nee Brown) of Miami, MB passed away at Health Sciences Center after a short but aggressive battle with cancer. She leaves behind her husband Glenn, who she was married to for 46 years, as well as her daughter Arvel (Brian) of Mannville, AB and son Paul (Theresa) of Altamont, MB. She also leaves behind her two sisters, Emily (Terry) Hunter of Winnipeg, MB and Burna (Jim) Wilton of Guelph, ON and her sister-in-law Linda Griffin of Moose Jaw, SK and her brother-in-law Grant (Joan) Lawson of Brandon, MB. She will be missed by her grandchildren and great grandchildren, along with many cousins and dear friends. Lorna was predeceased by her parents, Harry and Edith Brown and her in-laws John and Myrtle Lawson.
Lorna grew up on a farm outside of Roland, MB where she developed her love of trees, animals, birds and open spaces. She loved horse back riding with her Dad and often shared memories of their long talks during these rides. Once she graduated high school, Lorna completed her medical secretary training before working in this field in Southern Manitoba and then Haida Gwaii, British Columbia. Though Haida Gwaii captured her heart, she decided to move back to Manitoba and went on to marry Glenn in 1979. While raising her family, Lorna worked as a Public Servant for the RCMP for thirty-six and a half years. She received the Queen’s Jubilee Award in 2002 for her professional and community work in ‘D’ Division. Lorna loved her family and could often be found sewing uniforms or costumes into the wee hours of the morning, attending her children’s sporting events, supporting her parents, volunteering in the community and baking her famous flax buns for gatherings.
Lorna will be remembered for her beautiful smile, generous spirt and kind disposition. To know Lorna, was to know love. She was so proud of her children and loved her family and friends. She was an avid sports fan, enthusiastically cheering on the Winnipeg Jets each season. She enjoyed curling and travelled to many Briers, Scotties and World Qualifiers. She shared a love of music with her husband Glenn, attending many concerts over the years. She also loved time at Pelican Lake, Gimli (Willow Island) and Steep Rock with her family. Being a night owl, you could count on her to visit into the early hours of the morning, while watching the stars, Northern Lights and Meteor Showers. Her happy place at home was her backyard firepit, where she grew flowers, enjoyed bird watching, cuddled her cats and dogs and hosted many gatherings for family and friends. In her retirement, she discovered Parksville, BC and absolutely loved walking amongst the big trees of Rathtrevor Park and on the ocean floor when the tide was out. Lorna was an active member of her book club and recently published a book of memoirs for her family.
Lorna was fortunate to take a trip back in time in the summer of 2023, when she travelled back to Haida Gwaii after fifty years away. These Islands held a special place in her heart and returning gave her the chance to re-connect with old friends, meet the children of old friends and show her daughter and son-in-law the magic of Haida Culture and Art.
Lorna accepted her cancer diagnosis with courage, remaining hopeful, staying strong and making her own decisions until the very end. A special thanks to all those who supported Lorna since her diagnosis at the end of April. In her final days, she was surrounded by the love of family and friends and was deeply appreciative of everyone’s presence. She received tremendous care from her paramedics, Joel and Ryan, and from the teams at Boundary Trails, STARS and Health Sciences; you will never know how much she appreciated your care.
At Lorna’s request, cremation has taken place. Her Celebration of Life will be on July 19, 2025 at the Roland United Church at 1:30 pm. Burial to follow at the Miami Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Lorna’s name to STARS, the South Central Cancer Resource or the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
Lorna grew up on a farm outside of Roland, MB where she developed her love of trees, animals, birds and open spaces. She loved horse back riding with her Dad and often shared memories of their long talks during these rides. Once she graduated high school, Lorna completed her medical secretary training before working in this field in Southern Manitoba and then Haida Gwaii, British Columbia. Though Haida Gwaii captured her heart, she decided to move back to Manitoba and went on to marry Glenn in 1979. While raising her family, Lorna worked as a Public Servant for the RCMP for thirty-six and a half years. She received the Queen’s Jubilee Award in 2002 for her professional and community work in ‘D’ Division. Lorna loved her family and could often be found sewing uniforms or costumes into the wee hours of the morning, attending her children’s sporting events, supporting her parents, volunteering in the community and baking her famous flax buns for gatherings.
Lorna will be remembered for her beautiful smile, generous spirt and kind disposition. To know Lorna, was to know love. She was so proud of her children and loved her family and friends. She was an avid sports fan, enthusiastically cheering on the Winnipeg Jets each season. She enjoyed curling and travelled to many Briers, Scotties and World Qualifiers. She shared a love of music with her husband Glenn, attending many concerts over the years. She also loved time at Pelican Lake, Gimli (Willow Island) and Steep Rock with her family. Being a night owl, you could count on her to visit into the early hours of the morning, while watching the stars, Northern Lights and Meteor Showers. Her happy place at home was her backyard firepit, where she grew flowers, enjoyed bird watching, cuddled her cats and dogs and hosted many gatherings for family and friends. In her retirement, she discovered Parksville, BC and absolutely loved walking amongst the big trees of Rathtrevor Park and on the ocean floor when the tide was out. Lorna was an active member of her book club and recently published a book of memoirs for her family.
Lorna was fortunate to take a trip back in time in the summer of 2023, when she travelled back to Haida Gwaii after fifty years away. These Islands held a special place in her heart and returning gave her the chance to re-connect with old friends, meet the children of old friends and show her daughter and son-in-law the magic of Haida Culture and Art.
Lorna accepted her cancer diagnosis with courage, remaining hopeful, staying strong and making her own decisions until the very end. A special thanks to all those who supported Lorna since her diagnosis at the end of April. In her final days, she was surrounded by the love of family and friends and was deeply appreciative of everyone’s presence. She received tremendous care from her paramedics, Joel and Ryan, and from the teams at Boundary Trails, STARS and Health Sciences; you will never know how much she appreciated your care.
At Lorna’s request, cremation has taken place. Her Celebration of Life will be on July 19, 2025 at the Roland United Church at 1:30 pm. Burial to follow at the Miami Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Lorna’s name to STARS, the South Central Cancer Resource or the Nature Conservancy of Canada.