Obituary of Lorna Joyce DeSante

LORNA JOYCE DeSANTE (nee GAGNON)

April 14, 1927 - September 24, 2024

It is with profound sadness that the family announces their loving mother and grandmother, Lorna Joyce DeSante, has passed away peacefully on September 24, 2024 in St. Catharines.

Lorna will be greatly missed by her loving husband of nearly 68 years, Joseph, her children, Dana (Laura), Kim (Patti), Carrie (Tim), Jody and Tracey (Deanna), her grandchildren, Jeremy (Camille), James, Emily (Alex), Courtenay, Christopher, Carter, Katie (Nic) and Jack (Kat), her nephews, Gary, Shawn and Stephen, and in-laws, Rita and Michael DeSante.

Lorna was born and raised in Sturgeon Falls, Ontario to loving parents, Laura and Angus Gagnon. She survived her only sibling and older sister, Jackie, whom she adored.

Lorna was a northern girl at heart. Always fiercely independent, a good neighbour and friend and loved her summers and adventures with family and nephews at the Clear Lake cottage.

As a young girl she loved playing hockey. She always loved swimming, skating, travelling, cooking and gardening, winning first prize at the horticultural society for her roses. A hockey mom and devoted grandmother, she worked for many years as the bookkeeper at the family’s lumberyard and later volunteered for more than a quarter century at Bethlehem Place.

The family offers its heartfelt gratitude to staff at Henley House for their loving care over the years.

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, October 19th at 12 noon at Star of the Sea Church, 34 Elgin Street in St. Catharines, with a reception to follow.

Burial will take place at a later date at Union Cemetery in Sturgeon Falls, Ontario.

For those who wish, it would be appreciated that memorial donations be made to Bethlehem Housing and Support Services. Online condolences are welcomed and appreciated by the family.