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Lorraine Abel (née McLeod) died in her 95th year on December 9, 2024, at Cobourg ON, after a lengthy and debilitating illness. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Murray Keith Abel, her parents Donald Vosburgh and Gwladys Armanda (Clucas) McLeod, her brother Norman McLeod, and her niece Karen McLeod. She leaves her children Kerry, Peter (Nutsara), and Susan (Richard Bernier); grandchildren Toey (Bas Beeren), Tum (Evelynn Ysq), Ice, Jasmine, and Laura; and two great-grandchildren, in whom she took great delight in her final years, Bella and Mila.
Lorraine was born in Montreal and grew up in Toronto. She attended Oriole Park Public School and Forest Hill Collegiate where she made deep and lasting friendships. It was a golden and privileged childhood, but she never forgot that with such great privilege came great responsibility. All her life, she reached out to support others in many ways: as one of the “church ladies” wherever she lived, as the founder of a nursery school in Timmins ON for children with developmental disabilities, as a creative and imaginative Girl Guide captain, and as the donor of much practical help and kindness to anyone in need.
After her father told her that women could not be doctors, she set off to Queen’s University for a nursing degree, which she was unable to complete because she was seriously injured during a hospital practicum. It was at Queen’s that she met her future husband. Instead of nursing, she turned to teaching and attended Toronto Normal School, then taught briefly before marrying.
Above all else, Lorraine was a gifted teacher. Marriage and life circumstances limited her formal classroom teaching to brief years at Jesse Ketchum (Toronto), Flin Flon High (now Hapnot Collegiate), Manitouwadge Public School, and special education at Larchwood Public School (Dowling, ON). But the real beneficiaries of her talents were her children, who all set off to school already reading voraciously (taught by phonics, of course) and who learned an early appreciation for music even though the family lived out of range of all but short-wave radio with nary a concert hall within a day’s travel. She kept a close eye on the other teachers in her children’s lives and was a fierce advocate for doing things “properly.”
She raised her children under often trying circumstances but never complained and at the end of her life, pronounced cheerfully that it may not have been “all diamonds and rubies” but it was most definitely interesting. She followed her geologist husband across the Canadian north: Flin Flon (MB), Elsa-Keno Hill (Yukon), Manitouwadge (ON), Timmins (ON), Matagami (QC), Dowling then Sudbury (ON), and finally a retirement return to her family roots in Kingston, ON. After her husband’s death, she moved to Ottawa to be closer to one daughter, then finally to Cobourg to be closer to the other and to her son’s growing family.
At her request, there will be no funeral service. She will be laid to rest at a later date among her ancestors at Cataraqui Cemetery in Kingston, ON. If you wish, the family would be grateful for any donations in her name to a children’s charity of your choice.
Susan - So sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. Sending sympathies and prayers to you and your family. I have made a donation in her name to UNICEF for education for girls.
So sorry to read about Lorraine’s passing, I had the pleasure to meet and assist her while working for Home Instead home care. Warm regards to all her family and friends during this difficult period. Hugs, Amanda
What a lovely tribute to your dear mother, and she did indeed have an interesting life! Deepest condolences to you, Kerry, and to your family.
So sorry to hear of your Mother's passing Sue. !!!!
Our deepest sympathy for your loss.
Dear Sue, Richard and Laura, we are sorry for your loss… it’s time to go over the many memories, the stories and all the lives she touched in a positive way… take this time to enjoy the family she and your dad started! We remember her sweet manner fondly! Thinking of you 😘
Dear Susan. My deepest condolences to you and your family in the loss of your Mom. As soon as I saw her picture and last name..I knew you were her daughter. She seems to have had a great life and I'm sure you are who you are because of her influences. May she rest in peace. Dawn
My condolences Susan, Richard and family.
Susan, my condolences on the passing of your mother. My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
So sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. She was a lovely lady and a good neighbour for several years at Palisade Gardens. We exchanged information regularly about our pet CATS! Although her health had been failing and she is now at peace and free of pain, she will be sadly missed by her family. With sincere sympathy, Diane Froncz
Our deepest condolences on the loss of a remarkable mother. It was a privilege and a delight to have met her - her energy and compassion was a gift. Much love to you snd your family.
Susan my condolences to you and your family. I only knew your mother briefly in her later years but always found her interesting. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Suellen Stratton
Dear Susan and family, My condolences for the loss of your mother. Life won’t be the same without your mother. She was gracious in the face of adversity. Thinking of you and your family at this time, Michelle
Dear Susan and family we were sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. She will be greatly missed especially by you who always faithfully went to visit her every day. You are in our thoughts and prayers at this time. Cherish all those great memories. Wendy and Rick
I am so sorry to hear of her passing.. I am so grateful that I recently got to spend some time with her and chat again. She will be missed Rest in Paradise Lorraine
Dear Susan Sending love and prayers. Your Mom was certainly one of a kind I will always treasure my memories of caring for your mom at Palisades. We always had a good laugh on a daily basis! We seem to always make a bad situation into a laughing moment. God Bless and may she fly freely - she is free of pain an all aliments! Rest in Peace beautiful lady 💜 I will never forget you!!
Susan and family. My condolences at the passing of your mom. Mothers are the glue that hold the family together. Treasure your memories.
Your Mom sounds like she lead an amazing life! You have so much to remember. We're sorry for your loss and want you to know that you are in our thoughts today. With sympathy, Liz and Dean and Your friends at CYC