Obituary of Lorna May Hughson (née Nason)

Lorna’s long and productive life concluded at Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton on the morning of November 23, 2023 after a brief illness. Born in Oromocto NB to Rose and Frank Nason, Lorna was one of nine siblings. Predeceased by her infant daughter Catherine (1955); her husband Janus Angus (Jim) Hughson (February 2023), she is survived by her brother Osborne (Joanne); her children Michael (Sharry), Fredericton; daughter Susan, Vancouver; Grandchildren Kynan (Michelle), Anchorage AK; Max (Zoe), Toronto ON; Katheryn, Fredericton; Emma, Vancouver; and great grandson Emrys, Anchorage, AK.

Lorna’s early life in a large family revolved around farm and household chores including caring for her brothers and sisters: Bedford (Bud), Allan, Bessie, Austin, Joan, Rollie, Osborne and Yvonne. Although the family was poor, she had a rich and happy childhood according to brother Osborne: “because they didn’t know any different.” She was particularly fond of horses, but did not enjoy feeding the pig. The large bullfrog in Grammie Hunter’s well scared her every morning as she drew water and left her with a lifetime mistrust of amphibians. While her family did not have a lot of material extras, a hungry mouth or person in need was never turned from their door.

As a teen in Oromocto, Lorna and her friends would spend any spare time involved in youthful shenanigans on the West Road where she met her future husband: Jim (although she declared him “much too young” to be of interest). Lorna was a good student with a quick mind and a love of reading; however, necessity cut short her schooling as she worked to support herself and to help her family as a telephone operator at what would become NB Tel.

Lorna and Jim moved to Niagara Falls, Ontario to marry and find work: Jim at the Niagara Falls hydroelectric tunnels and Lorna at Rosberg’s Department Store. Returning to Oromocto in 1955 to start a family, illness would claim infant daughter Catherine at 8 months leaving a lifelong void for Lorna and Jim that was partially filled with the birth of son Michael (1957) and daughter Susan (1960).

Like many young families in the Maritimes in the 1960’s, good work could be evasive. Lorna and Jim moved from Oromocto to Moncton, then Sydney, Cape Breton and finally back to Fredericton where they established Valley Oxygen Ltd. They worked hard at this enterprise and Lorna was proud to know the name of every customer and the number and price of every item they sold. Their employees were regarded as family.

Her retirement years were as busy as her working years. She became an expert salmon angler along side Jim and fished every salmon river in New Brunswick and to Jim’s chagrin often out-fished him. She loved to skate at the Lady Beaverbrook Rink and found a good skating companion in Don Macauley. She was an active member of the Heritage Rug Hooking Guild: creating beautiful pieces for her family and friends, as well as enjoying the joke of being called a “hooker.” She happily volunteered at The Gift Box in the Chalmers Hospital putting her business experience to use raising money for the DECH Auxillary.

Despite her success in business, art and sport, it was her last wish that she be remembered as a “good Mom.” And that she was: a proud and fierce mother for Mike and Sue; a devoted and playful grandmother to Ky, Max, Emma and Kate and lately an adoring great-grandmother to the golden Emrys whom she hoped would live with her under her roof.

Lorna’s family is grateful to Dr. Chris Lambropoulos for his care and in her final days to Drs. Shafiq, Sarkasian, Blythe, Collins and Frenette for their compassion and professionalism. Also, the wonderful and overstretched nurses of ER and 4SW particularly Keneice, Sam, Stephanie, Christine, Ashley, Amy and Kate (with apologies to those omitted).

Lorna is resting with McAdam’s Funeral Home and at her request there will be no visitation or memorial service. She will be buried with Jim this coming spring or summer at the Burton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Lorna’s family would appreciate a donation to The Chalmers Foundation or a charity of their choice.

https://www.chalmersfoundation.com/