Obituary of Lorna Ward Paull

 

Lorna Ward Paull was born July 15, 1935, to Lyle and Ona Ward in Ponoka, Alberta, Canada, and passed away December 17, 2021, in Olympia, Washington. She grew up and attended schools in the Ponoka/Lacombe area, helping on the family farm in the Birch Lake District.

 

Lorna met Kenneth Paull while he was attending Western Washington University in Bellingham, near the Canadian border. They were married in Ponoka, Alberta on September 6, 1957. Their first son, Kevin Ward Paull, was born May 31, 1960, in Santa Monica, California, and their second son, Nathan Erik Paull, was born July 10, 1963, in Seattle, Washington.

 

After traveling the country extensively for work, Ken and Lorna moved to the South Bay area of Olympia in 1972, where they purchased 10 acres of land and started a homestead. After Ken passed away later that same year, Lorna raised their two boys as a single mom, keeping the house, property and kids together despite tough economic times. Her independent, tough spirit and love of all things young and green helped her family and farm grow and flourish.

 

 An amazing talent for sewing and embroidery kept the kids in clothes she crafted, as funds were hard to come by. Music always kept the home full of love and laughter, from hippie to classical or jazz, always food for the soul.

 

 Lorna worked for the state of Washington DSHS Medical Assistance Administration for 22 years until her retirement in 2001. That same year, she became an American citizen, fittingly enough on Canada Day, July 1, 2001. Although always a Canadian at heart, she was truly proud to get her citizenship.

 

That pioneer spirit was abundant in her land and her life, growing many garden plots of vegetables, flowers and all things blooming. With a gift for cooking and a love for food in every way, Lorna made sure family and friends were always fed in style, and with love. Like her parents, there was always room at the table for loved ones or unexpected company whenever they stopped in.

 

Lorna loved to visit with friends, relatives and neighbors. In her retirement, Lorna enjoyed travel and staying in touch with friends far and wide, listening to and keeping current with NPR, and forays to the Farmers Market. In more recent years, her greatest pride and love was taking care of all of the beautiful plantings and flowers on the homestead, and feeding the many, many different kinds of birds attracted to the backyard paradise she created. A beautiful, strong, loving person, her passing leaves a large void in many lives, but she remains in our hearts.

 

Lorna is survived by her son, Nathan, and daughter-in-law, Sunny, of Olympia; nephew, Bryn (Muge) Badel, of Victoria, BC; and niece, Seline (Jason) Badel-Wong, of Calgary, Alberta.

 

A private celebration will be held towards the end of May.

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Lorna’s memory to the charity of your choosing.

 

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