KUHN, Lorraine Catherine
October 7, 1948 – February 9, 2021
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our mom Lorraine
Kuhn on February 9, 2021. Lorraine will be remembered first as a
superb athlete missing out on the 1976 Canadian Olympic Volleyball
team only because she moved to the Yukon where she would spend the
next almost 40 years as a teacher, coach and friend; and avid outdoor
enthusiast. She coached many girls’ volleyball and basketball teams,
taking her teams to competitions across Alaska and Alberta. In the
early 2000s, she retired to Cochrane, Alberta where she spent more
than 15 years trail riding with friends in Alberta’s spectacular Rocky
Mountains.
So many friends have reached out over the past days, all sharing their
love and respect for Mom. She touched so many lives and leaves many,
many wonderful memories. She was mentor and surrogate parent, and
adopted Aunt to many over the years, and forged friendships that have
lasted. I’m not sure if she ever truly grasped the extent of her
influence and how well-loved she was. She leaves a huge hole in our
hearts.
Lorraine was predeceased by her parents Helen and Cy Ward and her
brother Don Ward. She is survived by her children Robyn and Tyler
(Amber Church) and granddaughter Inara; her sisters Laurie Ward (Lance
Mills) and family, Elaine Ward (Shanti) and family, and Jean Webb and
family; and her brother Richard Campbell-Ward. And the many friends
that were as close as family.
Mom, you are loved and will be forever in our hearts.
Arrangements entrusted to
Cochrane Country Funeral Home – Ph: 403-932-1039
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Dear Robyn and Tyler,
Mike and I would like too express our deepest sadness when we became aware of your Mom’s passing. She was such a kind and thoughtful person,and would always go that extra mile for others. Our family embarked on a hike in the Yukon and Lorraine insisted upon dropping us off and picking up our stinky bodies at the culmination of our 6 day journey.
She was a well loved and respected member of our BPE class of ‘69 group and we are so thankful that she managed to attend our 50 year reunion in 2019,sharing many stories and memories.
Rest In Peace good friend,
Mike and Linda
Robyn and Tyler, I wish so much that we could all gather to honour your mother and to send her off with all love and energy she brought to all her endeavours. As one of her players on her first teams, we practiced 4 times a week for four years followed by a lifetime of friendship and connections. Your mommy was the first friend to come and see me as new young mom and welcome my first baby. Her gesture, given so freely and so full of joy in meeting this new little life, Janelle, bonded our friendship. I am so fortunate to have had her as a mentor, when I won as the Member of Parliament for the Yukon it was because your mom taught her students, win or lose, to give their best. She shone so bright and I will miss her wonderful laugh.
Robyn and Tyler
Sharon and I would like to express our sincere condolences and are deeply saddened at the passing of your mother. She was indeed a wonderful person and a great volleyball player. She and I were classmates in that infamous BPE ‘69 group at the U of A. Our paths crossed after graduation at Arctic Winter Games and Canada Games but the most recent crossing at the 50 year reunion was indeed fortuitous. Linda and Mike were trying to contact her and so I left a message on her Facebook page and after a few weeks she responded saying she seldom went there. A huge surprise as there she was right under Linda and Mike’s nose in Cochrane. What a surprise. We all enjoyed the reminiscing. Your mom took her studies, her volleyball, and her work seriously. Most of all she took being a mom most seriously and shared very proudly her kids when we talked. Peace be with you.
.
Dear Robyn and Tyler;
My partner Ellen and I were at the 50th reunion for the BPE Class of ‘69 and were thrilled to see your mom who we had not seen for many years. She was, as you so clearly communicate, a quiet, kind and thoughtful person. We were so glad to see her.
We are so very sorry that you have lost your wonderful mother and her sisters their sister. Even though we are now in our 70’s, it seems far too soon.
Know our thoughts are with you.
Tana and Ellen
Lorraine’s obit rekindles my memories of one of the most positive, enthusiastic,
and sincere members of our class (BPE 69). It is no wonder that she leaves behind
such a wonderful legacy of contributing to the lives of so many.
My sincerest condolences Robin and Tyler. Lorraine was such a special friend to me. So happy we had a chance to visit and catch up at the 69BPE reunion. I just wrote to her last week. May she rest in peace. God bless both you and your families. Betty
Robyn and Tyler, I love the photos you shared with us on your Mom’s obituary. I first got to meet Lorraine when we both enrolled at the University of Alberta B.P.E. program at the same time. What a surprise when we found each other on our daily bus commute to our classes. We had many talks and shared many activities. She became a close and trusted friend. Unfortunately we lost touch when she moved to the Yukon, but she was one of those friends who stay in your heart. We could connect instantly when I saw her in Cochrane. I send my condolences to you both. I know you have a wonderful bank of memories that you’ll have forever. I hope you find peace and comfort in that. Sending love, Lynwen
Dear Robyn & Tyler,
Lorraine was a very close friend from high school and university where we both played volleyball together. We had laughter and tears together going thru our teens.
I came to Whitehorse when Tyler was young. I was going to kidnap him. Lorraine said ‘. Forget it, as I’ll receive letters (pre email) saying- hi mom I’m in India or Timbuktu now.
I am so deeply saddened and share the grief of your loss. We had shared so much of our youth together. My heart goes out to you both. My life was so much better for have know Lorraine.
We are all better having known Lorraine
A hug to you both in your time of this loss
Shirley. Diwert
Robyn & Tyler,
I am so very sorry to hear that your Mom is no longer with us in person. She definitely lives on in all of us whose lives she has touched so deeply – and there are a lot of us! Your mom is the reason I am who I am today. She saw in me what I did not see in myself at the tender age of 14 and she helped guide me through my teen years – and into adulthood. My mom also sings Lorraine’s praises as I needed all the help I could get! 🙂 I met my best friends through volleyball with Lorraine (Class of ’87 at FH Collins) – and they are still my best friends today! What a legacy she leaves! I’ve seen Lorraine quite a few times throughout my adult years but most recently was about two years ago when she came to my house for tea and to meet my new Doberman pup. She was a mentor to so many – we are truly better people for having known her. She will be missed and will never be forgotten. Wishing you peace at this most difficult time. xo Kathy
Robyn, Tyler and Family. I’m so deeply sorry for your loss, as well the loss of one of the most incredible people I ever had the good fortune of calling my friend. I first met Lorraine when I began working with her at Selkirk Elementary in 1999 in Whitehorse. Wow! What an amazing teacher and incredible influence to not only me but all who had the privilege of working with her or of being one of her many students. I still work there and so often I think of her as go in the equipment room or look at the climbing pegs on the wall in the gym. She began a ritual of taping up kids’ names that made it to the top. That still continues to this day. There is so much more…. Lorraine helped me through so many rough patches and also shared in so many of my happiest times. She joined me and my family on a trip to Arizona in 2007. We had such fun! I have books, photos and of course memories that I will always treasure. She is a treasure. Kindest and most caring thoughts I send to you. Leah and family