Lorna Ann Williams

Williams, Lorna Ann

Born Lorna A. McKay April 17, 1944 in Montreal, Canada, to her mother Eileen Sedgwick and her father Thomas McKay, passed away in loving arms at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center July 10, 2019 surrounded by her family Austin, Sarah, Tiffany, Jess, Kailey, Shirley, Susie, extended family, and friends.

She was her parents first child later joined by brother John Thomas McKay; born April 27, 1948. They lived out their younger years in Canada.

Their parents bought their home in Torrance in 1957 and thus began Lorna’s life in the USA. She worked hard in school and made sure to honor her catholic values. She graduated from South High School in Torrance in 1962 and she went on to study at El Camino College and obtained her associates degree in English.

Lorna met the love of her life Kenneth Herbert Williams around 1972. Lorna’s mother Eileen had become a client of Ken’s and eventually he sold insurance to Lorna. A friendship began immediately after. They could talk and laugh about anything. They truly were soulmates.

In 1975 they had discussed marriage and despite the age difference and Ken’s slightly incessant joke “He robbed the cradle and she robbed the grave.” they married January 24, 1976 at 4:10 by a Long Beach State Judge, Judge Charvet,at the home of Betty and Alex Lawson with both the wedding and reception held at the home.

Lorna’s brother John McKay was Ken’s best-man.

Lorna gained two daughters Sue and Kathy after their marriage. They honeymooned in Hawaii for two weeks with a stay at the Hilton Hotel Grand Waikikian.

They returned home and settled back into life in their two bedroom apartment in Torrance. Ken worked day shifts and Lorna swing, but they managed. Lorna made Ken sell his 1958 Corvette so they could buy furniture. She never heard the end of that one. It took three years and they saved enough to buy a home in Lakewood, close to Ken’s mom Margaret and his daughters.

Lorna worked at Trans World Airlines and Ken worked at State Farm as an Insurance Agent.

With her job they were able to travel the world and visit all seven continents.

They took over 58 cruises together and traveled the world frequenting Canada.

They met many friends in their years and are cherished by many.

Her brother John lived close by with his daughter Tiffany. As a child Tiffany spent a lot of time at the Williams residence on Fairman and it would become a home away from home for her and her future family.

Lorna and her niece Tiffany created a strong and lasting bond.

Lorna’s niece had a son in May of 1994. Austin John Barba.

Austin would come to spend much of his childhood at the home on Fairman. Due to complicated schedules he spent a lot of time with Lorna. He spent days running errands, going to church, and just enjoying time with her. When he entered kindergarten his mother Tiffany did not want him going to school in Lawndale so  Lorna and Ken offered for Austin to live with them in Lakewood Monday through Friday so he could go to school in a better district. They had him all week and he attended Monroe Elementary School until the 5th grade when Tiffany relocated to Temecula. Austin was the son they never had.

Tiffany’s second child was Sarah. Lorna helped raise her as well.

Lorna, John, and Ken made holidays and birthdays priorities.

No event ever fell short of love and laughter.

She also got to know and love Tiffany’s 3 youngest children Kailey, Noah and Cole who loved spending weekends at her home in Lakewood.

After Lorna lost Ken in 2007 she decided to take a new lease on life. She learned to say yes to anything and everything that came her way.

She continued to travel and went on another 150 and beyond collective days cruising around the world with her friends.

She truly was a social butterfly.

She went on to defeat breast cancer, ear cancer, spinal stenosis, and battled with COPD.

Lorna defeated all of these hurdles and continued to be kind to everyone she met.

The Lord's Prayer was given by family surrounding her. At 9:20 am  July 10, 2019 Lorna Ann was called home to join her beloved Ken, brother John and her parents in heaven.

We will take the love, wisdom and memories with us on the rest of our own journeys.

““How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Monday July 22, 2019 from 4 until 8PM at Luyben Dilday Mortuary in Long Beach, CA for a vigil service. Funeral Mass Tuesday, July 23, 2019 at 10AM at St. Maria Goretti Long Beach, CA with committal in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Cypress, CA.

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401