Lorna Ann Litvenenko, nee Zimmer, born in Biggar, Saskatchewan on July 22, 1942, passed away peacefully on Wednesday May 1, 2024 at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan after battling health challenges over a number of years.
Lorna is survived by her two sons, Kirk (Jaylene) and Brett (Melanie); her grandchildren Shayle (Xavier), Karsen, Kiera, Jordyn, Kayley and Marren; her sisters Fay Keller, Patricia Bilodeau (Florent), Jeanette Zimmer and her brother Alan Zimmer; with numerous nieces (including Roberta Rogers who was a constant companion and support provider to Lorna), nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins.
Lorna graduated from Nursing at St. Paul’s Hospital in 1963. She worked as a pediatric nurse at St. Paul’s from graduation to 1992 when pediatric services in Saskatoon were consolidated at Royal University Hospital. Following her retirement from full time work, she worked casually for a few years before concluding her career in the mid 2000’s.
Lorna took great pride in her nursing career and defined herself by the amount of care and understanding she provided to every child she assisted and every family she interacted with. While she endured the exceptional physical and mental burdens of being a healthcare worker over the decades, she was empowered and energized by providing loving care to each patient. Over her long career and thereafter, she took deep satisfaction when crossing paths with an adult on the streets of Saskatoon for whom she had previously provided care for, these former patients oftentimes overcame extreme health problems and they each expressed a heartfelt appreciation for the efforts, care, love and attention Lorna had provided to them. For the children under her care that sadly lost their health battles, she shed many painful tears both at work and at home. Lorna had the impressive resilience and courage that only the best nurses possess which allows them to face each patient’s health challenges with a determination to make every day as good as it could be for each patient and their family.
Lorna had a genuine ability to recognize, appreciate and celebrate the specialness of those who crossed her path. She was always able to offer a fair and balanced view when asked for advice, guiding friends and family through difficult situations and was the first to offer a kind word when none appeared apparent. Lorna cared deeply for her family and she likewise expected her family to provide the same care and assistance whenever needs arose.
She was a devoted mother to her boys, attending all the games and events that arose on the difficult journey of a single parent from the early 1980’s onwards. Her parents, Bill and Margaret Zimmer provided great support for her as she navigated the hurdles presented by parenting two rambunctious boys. She was a devoted and loving daughter who repaid her parents, in part, by consistently visiting and supporting them as they grew old and their own health deteriorated. Lorna was an interested grandmother to her grandkids - she loved to hear about the separate achievements and life events of each grandchild. She was a supportive and caring sister to her siblings - aware of everything that the large extended family was doing, whilst being directly and meaningfully involved whenever the opportunity arose in each sibling’s family life.
She enjoyed reading murder mysteries, bowling and crocheting, as well as playing bingo. In her retirement years, she was a member of the Lion’s Club, devoting countless hours to the various important causes the Lion’s Club advanced. She cherished her ‘Sisters’ Days’ where she and her sisters and sister-in-law would spend a day treating themselves to fun, mani-pedis and other enjoyable endeavours. Most recently, at her retirement residence, she enjoyed visiting with other residents and playing the card game, Canasta.
Lorna was a devout Catholic throughout her life, regularly attending mass in person and streamed virtually from Saskatoon and abroad.
Lorna passed into the next life peacefully smiling and whispering to the angels that carried her from the hospital room towards Heaven to be with her parents and siblings that have already passed.
Lorna will be missed by all those that knew her.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 6, 2024 at St. Peter the Apostle Church (1121 Northumberland Avenue, Saskatoon).
Memorial donations may be made to Saskatoon Lions Club in Lorna’s memory.
For those unable to attend please visit https://youtube.com/live/xqiIiBaGR3Y?feature=share to view the service.
Arrangements entrusted to Derryl Hildebrandt.
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