Lorna Mary Green

Eulogy: Lorna Mary Green Good morning, everyone, my name is Ryan Green and I am one of Lorna's ten grandchildren. On behalf of the family, thank you for joining us to remember and celebrate the life of Lorna Mary Green. I have the distinct privilege of sharing a few words about my grandmother. Lorna, whether you knew her as Mom, Auntie, Gram, Grandma, friend or neighbour, was a wonderful individual whose life story is as captivating as it is inspiring. She entered this world during the night of August 18, 1929, a night marked by the fire that burnt down much of downtown Lloydminster. Her mother watched in disbelief as horse-drawn water wagons raced to combat the blaze. Given the dramatic circumstances, the hospital playfully named her the Fire Baby. Born to Dorcas and Frank Hewitt from Hewitt Landing, Saskatchewan, Grandma was the third child in a loving family. She joined her older sister Muriel, her older brother William, and later, her younger sister Fay. Grandma's early years were deeply intertwined with the North Saskatchewan River, where her father worked as the ferryman. Summers were spent by the river and winters at the family homestead in the Rex District. It was here that Grandma's love for horses and the outdoors blossomed. She would ride horses and chase after cows that wandered off, in which she learned the value of hard work and determination from an early age. Despite the demands of farm life, she dreamed of becoming a cowgirl on her parent's farm rather than leaving for school. Attending the Rex School, Grandma and her sisters would embark on snowy adventures to reach their schoolhouse. Winter days were filled with cold rides and warm hearts. Grandma cherished the lively family dances of her youth, often reminiscing about the joy and excitement she experienced. She shared countless stories of those days. Her educational journey led her to Lloydminster, where she spent her final year of high school. Despite struggling with homesickness, she persevered and graduated. She continued on to the University of Alberta where she had enrolled in Teaching. That year was a whirlwind of fun and adventure as she explored the city. She made lasting memories with her Aunt Mary and cousin Jessie, and even experienced the last Frosh Week Snake Dance on Whyte Avenue. Grandma's adventurous spirit was exemplified in her memorable trip to Yellowknife after university in the summer of 1950. She, Jessie, and a friend braved gravel roads all the way there, sketchy motels, and float planes. Grandma often spoke of these times with great fondness. Grandma began her teaching career in Silver Willow, Alberta, (near Marwayne), where she was warmly welcomed by the community. During the summer that year, Grandma attended the Banff School of Fine Arts where she enrolled in acting classes. One of her classmates was the soon to be famous Canadian actor, John Vernon. Her second and third year of teaching was at Earlie School, where she easily connected with her students. Most of these connections lasted her entire life. Grandma's passion for learning extended beyond the classroom. She loved reading and shared that love with her children and grandchildren. Her enthusiasm for reading the Bible, reading poetry, and reading jokes was evident in the Sunday school lessons and endless hours of homework she would help her children with. While teaching at Earlie School, Grandma first met Pete Green at a dance in the Kinnard district in the fall of 1951. Describing him as "handsome and very neat," she was soon smitten. However, their first date was not until November of 1952. She was informed by neighbors that he was going to be a life -long bachelor - so right there and then she decided to take up the challenge! They married on November 6, 1953 in this very church! Together they raised six children: Donald, Rosemary, Raymond, Wendy, Laura, and Leslie. Throughout their 66 years of marriage, their love for each other never wavered. Grandma's life became a whirlwind of cooking, baking, gardening, and farm duties, all while nurturing a growing family. She was a skilled cook and baker, learning these crafts as she transitioned from her horse­riding youth to the bustling life of a farm homemaker and mother. One of the desserts that her family looked forward to was her pies, as Grandpa just loved a good pie. Her specialty was lemon meringue. She would often take these to family and community events and they were a hit! Her children would often comment on the freshly baked bread and cinnamon buns waiting for them after school. They fondly remember the many dishes and baked goods that came out of her kitchen, especially her butter tarts, which were my personal favourite! Over the years she developed a great many interests that involved a variety of animals, which included; pigs, milk cows (her favourite), chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, even a Burro and a couple of horses! Needless to say, there was always a dog or cat around! Later on, when the kids got older, she would venture into exotic chickens and guinea fowl which were very noisy! She took great delight in watching and identifying all wild birds that came into the yard - her bird book was always close at hand. Hummingbirds were her favorite and she and Grandpa would enjoy watching them every year out their dining room window. In the winter, they would feed the chickadees that got so tame that they would eat out of Grandpa's hand. Grandma had a green thumb and could make anything grow. She was an avid gardener, with her greenhouse full of tomatoes. Come September each year there would be hundreds of tomatoes in boxes under every bed in the house! Besides tomatoes, she loved flowers, with her favorite flower being roses, of which she grew many different varieties. Her gardens were huge and a thing of beauty. Her children would often have the chore of weeding to keep things tidy. Summers were spent picking peas, shucking corn, hilling potatoes and making pickles and preserves for the winter months. Grandma had a love for music. She ensured that all of her children learned an instrument, even buying a piano from Winnipeg and having it shipped by rail to Kitscoty. Her love for dancing also continued throughout her life, with Grandma and Grandpa regularly attending local country dances once their children had left home. Her children fondly remember her teaching them how to dance to the music of Wilf Carter and Charlie Pride. Her love of travel continued later in life, as she and Grandpa embarked on a journey to England, Wales, Germany, and Switzerland, remarking on the cleanliness of the latter two. She also cherished visits to relatives on the west coast, with a special trip to Victoria for their 50th wedding anniversary. Grandma always enjoyed going for walks in the pasture with her children and grandchildren, following cow paths, identifying plants and bird songs, and picking berries. Grandma took great joy in planting trees and watching them grow. After she moved away from the farm in her later years, she always loved to go back as often as she could. In 2012, Grandma and Aunt Leslie completed a compilation of the stories that her parents had told her about their life on the prairies and together, they compiled a book called "The River and Beyond". Grandma had promised her parents to keep these stories alive for future generations to enjoy and she was proud to have kept this promise. Grandma's ability to listen was one of her greatest gifts. She was a counselor, always ready to lend an ear, offer advice, and help us think through our problems. Her guidance was unwavering, teaching her family the value of hard work, the importance of striving to do our best and to be compassionate to those less fortunate. Her pride in her family and their accomplishments was evident to all who knew her. Family was very important to her, as she not only kept track of her own family, but she tried her best to stay connected with her nieces and nephews as well. Grandma lived a life filled with love, adventure, and steadfast support for those she cared about. She will be remembered for her kindness, her strength, and her indomitable spirit. As we say goodbye, let us celebrate the extraordinary life she lived and the legacy she leaves behind. As Grandma would always say to her family upon farewell; "See you in the funny papers!" Thank you to the staff at Wainwright Hospital and Points West Wainwright for the care and kindness mom received during her stay there. Many thanks to Joel and staff at McCaw Funeral Home for their kindness, compassion and assistance. Thank you to the Anglican Church ladies for the luncheon served after the service. Thank you to Michael Stonhouse for your help in arranging a nice service. Special thanks to all those who attended the service, sent cards, flowers, donations and well wishes. It was very much appreciated.