It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved wife, mother and grandmother Lorna (Owsanski) MacInnes. Lorna passed away peacefully on October 31st at North Shore Hospice after a three-year battle with cancer. She spent her remaining days surrounded by her family and faced her final weeks with the same optimism and positivity that she carried with her throughout her life.
Lorna was born in Vancouver to Peter and Joyce Owsanski and was the fourth of seven children. She graduated from Killarney Secondary before studying at BCIT to become a radiography technician. After graduating, she began her career at Vancouver General Hospital then moved to Powell River to pursue work there. It was soon after that she met Don and returned to the Lower Mainland.
Lorna and Don started their family and made their home in Coquitlam. They shared numerous memories of parties and family get-togethers—famously, the Owsanski Olympics and regular pool parties throughout the warm summer months. Lorna always welcomed others into her home and regularly hosted the Red Cross to use their pool for swimming lessons.
Lorna and family then relocated to the White Rock area to begin the next chapter of their lives. After meticulously planning their dream home, it was finished in 1990. Annual summer parties and Christmas dinners were the norm. Lorna was involved in her boys’ lives and could be regularly found on the sidelines at soccer games as well as beside the dugout on the baseball field.
Instead of downsizing as their children grew older, Lorna and Don decided to build another home. After finding an old cabin on Marine Drive, they decided to embark on another adventure. Lorna loved her views of the White Rock sunsets and the continuous ocean breeze. She loved that home and enjoyed many family and Christmas dinners—and welcomed her older grandchildren there.
Lorna and Don’s next move took them to Coal Harbour in downtown Vancouver. They spent two years there enjoying regular seawall walks, shopping downtown and restaurant sampling. They soon relocated to Cultus Lake to downsize and enjoy nature. After four years, they moved to Lorna’s final home in North Vancouver where she could be close to her grandchildren.
Lorna was diagnosed with cancer in 2020. She started treatment and continued with it up until the end. There was no shortage of complications along her path, but despite setbacks, Lorna remained positive and was determined to keep fighting. With all challenges in her life, she chose to look at obstacles with gratitude and optimism.
Lorna was truly the heart of our family and would do anything to help and support everyone she knew without hesitation. She loved the challenge of a puzzle, a great mystery book and watching the Blue Jays. She cherished her time in Hawaii with her family, spoiling her grandchildren, and making sure her fingers and toes were perfectly manicured. Christmas was her favourite time of year and she created so much magic—first, for her children and then for her grandchildren. Lorna was a fashionista who loved a cute pair of shoes or an understated handbag.
Lorna is survived by her husband Don, her sons Aaron (Kat) and Graham (Antonia), and her beloved grandchildren Hudson, Oliver, Poppy, Roma and Sicily. We will miss you Mom and all the love and positivity that you brought to our lives. Your kind and loving heart has left a lasting impression on all that had the privilege of knowing you. We love you.
November 13th, 2023
So many good memories of Lorna makes it very hard to choose one. From searching together to get the right Gi Joes for our boys and laughing to this day on the fact we could name them all. How much fun we had in Maui especially the Mai Tai nights. Skiing in Manning. All the pool parties and Owsanski Olympics which Lorna and Don so graciously hosted. The many lunches and phone calls discussing the Blue Jays lamenting their wins and losses. We had many laughs with Lorna and Don.
Lorna was so proud of her boys(Aaron and Graham) and so happy with Kat and Antonia who became their wives. When it came to her Grand children she was over the moon in love and we loved and appreciated her sharing with pictures and stories as they grew.
Lorna was not only Dave’s sister and my sister-in-law but she was our friend and we will miss her very much❤️
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