Lorna MacQueen passed away peacefully in Dundas, Ontario in the loving presence of her sister Meg and brother Ken and his wife Marion on September 13, 2023 at the age of 64, from complications following a stroke. She leaves behind her brother Kenneth and sister Margaret (Meg) and was predeceased by her dear brother Graeme who passed away in April. She will be sadly missed by not only her family but her many dear friends.
After attending the Atlantic School of Theology, Lorna was a dedicated United Church minister for forty years. In the 1980s she was a United Church partner in mission in Brazil for three years. Most of her ministry was performed in the Maritime provinces but for the past fifteen years she has lived and served in Ontario, mostly in the United Church administrative offices but also in various churches in the Hamilton area as a sought-after interim minister.
She will be lovingly remembered as a woman who in her own way fought for justice and rights for humans as well as animals, and her dogs were a huge part of her life. A capable, dynamic and creative woman, she also created beautiful art in the form of watercolours.
Funeral services will be held at St. Mark’s United Church in Dundas, Ontario on September 15 at 10:30a.m. and in the United Heritage Church in Sydney, Nova Scotia on September 27 at 2:00p.m.. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Lorna’s name to a non-profit organization of your choice.
To Rev Lorna’s Family and friends,
My sincerest condolences to all who are missing Rev Lorna in their lives. Rev Lorna is the first minister I remember growing up on the Oak Bary Pastoral Charge and in the former Moore’s Mills United Church (1983-1986), in Maritime Conference. I have fond memories of her loving and caring presence, bubbly personality and beautiful smile.
May God’s loving and caring presence surround you all at this time.
I love you, Lorna. I always thought we would grow old together, and I’m unsure how I will bear your passing. But I hope you are with my dad, your parents, and of course, your beloved dogs.
I will always treasure the painting you gave me as a Christmas gift years ago.
I hope you rest in peace, beloved aunt. From the time I was a child, you brought such joy into my life.
Thank you for that. I will miss you.
Jess
Lorna and her siblings would shop at the metro and I got to know them during our frequent chats there. I loved the dynamic they shared, the mutual respect and love that flowed so easily between them . My heart goes out to all of Lornas family and especially Meg who moved mountains for her sister. Such great love and grief is the price. My love and sympathy to all. And of course my prayers always. 💕
Sending sincerest sympathy to Lorna’s family. The MacQueen’s were such an amazing part of the Fort Massey family of faith in Halifax. Day by day the promise reads daily strength for daily needs.
Well done good and faithful servants… enfolding Meg, Ken and Marion in love.
My husband and I served with Lorna in Brazil. I loved her then and love her still. Many blessings to the grieving family and friends
I grieve Lorna’s death as a colleague (and fellow Maritimer) for whom I had great respect.
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.
Lorna, throughout your time as our Supply Minister, you became endeared to the communities of Carlisle and Kilbride. We loved your thought-provoking sermons laced with your unique brand of humor and delivered in your easy, from-the-heart style. Since then, you have continued to touch hearts and lives as you have ours and many will sadly grieve your loss. Prayers and heartfelt condolences to your family and all who loved you.
MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF REVEREND LORNA MACQUEEN. I MET LORNA WHEN I WAS A MEMBER OF THE HAMILTON CONFERENCE EXECUTIVE AND ALSO SERVED ON THE PASTORAL CARE TEAM. LORNA WAS A VERY KIND AND CARING PERSON. SHE CERTAINLY MADE A DIFFERENCE FOR GOOD IN THE LIVES OF VERY MANY PERSONS. SHE WAS DEVOTED AND DEDICATED IN HER SERVICE TO GOD AND OTHERS.
Surrounding you all with love and care. Lorna was one of the first female ministers I had come to know on the journey to ministry. She was absolutely fabulous and so very supportive. She had a marvelous career and life. She will be missed.
On April 27th 2018 when Lorna was preaching at Carlisle United she shared a poem with the congregation.The second verse has brought me great comfort when I a grieving the deaths of loved ones.
” I don’t have much knowledge yet in grief so this massive darkness makes me small. You be the Master: make yourself fierce, break in : then your great transforming will happen to me, and my great grief cry will happen to you. ”
This poem by Rainer Maria Rilke has brought me great comfort as I mourn the loss of family members and friends. For this and so much more I am grateful to Lorna and her role as our supply Pastor.
I grew up in Truro Nova Scotia, where Lorna’s father Stanley was the minister of our church. Because Lorna’s brother Graeme, who recently passed away, and I were best friends the MacQueens became part of my extended family. Sadly, I only remember Lorna as a very little girl. She was part of a very wonderful family who now have had two significant losses within a very few months
Condolences to the Mac Queen family for the loss of Lorna.
Please accept my sincere sympathy.
Donald Mac Leod
Homeville
My heart is heavy after reading of Lorna’s death. Lorna was our minister at Chalmers United Church in Dominion, Nova Scotia, and during her ministry she and I became fast friends. She was the minister and I was the organist and we enjoyed our daily walks to the boardwalk as well as watching movies together. We all loved Lorna and were sad when she moved to Ontario. My sincere condolences to her family.
I knew Lorna as an overseas personnel working in Brazil, as a colleague in ministry in the Maritimes, as my pastoral minister when my first wife, Karen, passed. Throughout all of these times Lorna was a humble, helpful, and caring friend. I am better for having known her.
May God’s love embrace all of her family and friends.
My sincere sympathy to Lorna’s family .
The macQueen family were special, and I have fond memories of. them.
Lorna’s father was our minister in Fort Massey. Halifax in the early70’s
“”Grief is the price we pay for love’’””
Fondly. Jean Cudmore
Dear friend,
I was worried, when our online chats evaporated, that something more had happened.
I will keep you and family in my prayers. Love you lots and I will miss you till we are reunited.
Lorna was a classmate during our MDiv years 1980-83. She was a kind and gentle soul with a strong spiritual presence. I send my thoughts and prayers to her family and friends who grieve her passing.
I will always be grateful for Lorna’s friendship in my early days of ministry in Sydney Presbytery. I loved sinking into deep theological discussions with her and then switching to laughter until tears ran down our cheeks over something silly. Integrity, wisdom, and compassion are the gifts I will be grateful for from our friendship. Deep condolences to the family, especially given other recent losses.
It was always a delight for me when my path crossed with Lorna’s at various times in both Hamilton and Maritime Conferences. Whichever of the two we were in at the time, Lorna always felt like a bit of “home” for me as we exchanged stories of similar places and people we knew. She had an uplifting spirit that always made my day in our unexpected meetings. May all your good memories hold you and bring you strength in the days ahead.
My deepest sympathy to the MacQueen family.
My deepest condolences to Lorna’s family. Lorna’s time serving the community of Trinity United touched many. Lorna was a beautiful soul and I am blessed to have enjoyed knowing her and hearing her sermons. Rest in peace
So very sorry to learn of Lorna’s passing. I sat under her ministery
with my Mom at Trinity United, Whitney Pier Cape.Breton .Lorna had a unique way of putting the word of the Lord out there! My deepest condolences to her family Meg, Kenneth Marionand all family members. A Minister making a house visit and I remember her like it wasyesterday. God bless you all !
I have fond memories sitting under the ministry of Lorna at Trinity United Whitney Pier C.B. She had a very unique way of delivering the Lord’s word MY deepest condolences go out to her sister Meg brother Ken ,& sister-in-law Marion and other family members. I remember her visit to our home and my Mom and I did so appreciate it.
Hard to find words. Remember pushing you in your stroller. Remember many good times. Love you and will always miss you.
My sincere condolences to the McQueen family. I remember her at Carlisle United Church as our supply minister and how at ease she was delivering her sermons without notes. We have been blessed having known her.
Lorna was a colleague in ministry in Maritime conference for whom I had enormous respect for her gifts and personhood. A faithful life well lived. Sincere condolences to her family and all who love her. May God’s love and grace bring you comfort and strength in your loss.
Oh Lorna, how deeply sad I am to hear that you have departed this good earth. You were an inspiration to me. I treasured your insights, wisdom, patience, ability to listen deeply and then to speak a very powerful word. And your laugh, which was more of a chuckle. How often I listened to this as we commisserated at a DWO meeting, or when visiting at Conference. You will be missed by so many. Rest well, you beautiful woman of faith, hope and love!
My sincere condolences to your family and all who will miss you!
I first met Lorna when she was in intentional ministry with us at Sackville United. She was also my first Spiritual Director. I learned a lot from her; I was struck by her wise questions and creativity. And her wonderful capacity for laughter. I am grateful she came to be with us. My condolences to her family and dear ones.
So very sorry to learn of Lorna’s passing. Sincere condolences to the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
So sorry for your loss
We got to know Lorna
At our church
STURGEON UNITED pei
She was a great lady
She taught us so much
My Heart is broken to hear of Lorna’s passing. My husband and I dearly loved her. Lorna made our faith stronger. A very good listener. Lorna preached at our church in Sturgeon ,PEI. I am now grieving for two people that I loved dearly. I just lost my husband August the 3rd at the age of 65. My condolences to the family. Lorna will be missed. All my Love.
I have known the MacQueen family since I was a teenager, and I baby-sat the children for quite a few years. When they moved from Sydney, N.S. I also moved to Truro to study to be a teacher and lived the year with them. They all were the nicest, kindest people you could meet. I didn’t meet Lorna until after I was married and my husband and I went to visit them in Truro. We also met you, and them them in Sydney when the family was taking part in the services there one weekend. Please accept our sympathy and know that we are thinking of the family. Ken and Margaret we have thought of you often and how happy I was to be connected with the family. We are now living in Kentville, N.S. I used to love taking Margaret to the Truro park for walks on Sunday afternoon.
Lorna was a gift and we give thanks for her life as we mourn her death and send deepest condolences to you, her Family. Our lives touched In Maritime Conference and the World Outreach Committee and in Cape Breton while she was serving in Sydney and we in Inverness/St. John’s. She loved her gummies when we were travelling to Sackville!
We treasured her insights and world perspective.
Allen & Betty Darby