LORRAINE VOPNFJORD BJORNSSON

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LORRAINE VOPNFJORD BJORNSSON Lorraine Bjornsson of Seattle WA, 70 years old, died December 28, 2007 in Seattle. She was born March 22, 1937 in Selkirk, MB the daughter of Axel and Lottie Vopnfjord. She grew up on Dominion Street in Winnipeg, MB and graduated from Daniel McIntyre Collegiate in 1954. In 1958 she moved to Seattle, where she was employed in the University of Washington Medical School, and where she quickly became the Administrative Secretary in the Department of Pediatrics. Also in 1958 she and Henry Bjornsson met and fell in love. They were married in July 1959. Lorraine completed her bachelor's degree in 1969 at the University of Washington, graduating with honors and being elected to the scholastic honorary Phi Beta Kappa. She received her master's degree in educational psychology in 1971, also from the University of Washington. Lorraine and Henry were childless for the first seventeen years of their marriage. Then, in 1976, she gave birth to their only child, Dale Axel, who has now adopted the first name Axel. Prior to his birth she had returned to work at the Medical School. She took a maternity leave, then decided not to continue employment, and became a full-time mother. Four years prior to her death she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, which had progressed significantly. She died in a nursing facility of an acute lung infection acquired incidental to her treatment for a sacral fracture secondary to a fall. Lorraine is survived by Henry, her husband of 48 years, and their son Axel Bjornsson; by her brother Leonard (Karen) Vopnfjord of Saanich, BC; her nephews Kris (Charlene) Vopnfjord of Duncan, BC, and Lindy (Sally) Vopnfjord of Toronto, ON; and by her aunt Sophie Wallace of Ferndale, WA. She is also survived by numerous cousins in the US and Canada, and many wonderful friends. A memorial gathering will be held in Seattle at a time and place to be announced. Donations in her memory are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association or any favourite charity.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 03, 2008