Orla Lockerbie

ORLA LOCKERBIE

1932 - 2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Orla (Minish) Lockerbie. She was a wife, mom, grandma, and friend. Orla left a lasting mark on everyone she met, and was respected for her compassion and drive. When Orla felt strongly about a cause, she would throw her whole heart into it. She felt very strongly about family and we all felt the benefit of that love.

Orla was born in Rosetown, SK. and grew up on a farm fifteen miles north of that town. Her mother died when Orla was three years old. Her father raised her and her eight siblings.

She attended a one-room schoolhouse from Grades 1-10. For Grades 11 & 12 she attended Rosetown High where she excelled in the maths and sciences, graduating at 16 years of age. She took commercial training and worked at Graham Bros., Rosetown, before taking employment at the U of S from 1953-60 (Biology Department) and again from 1978-1991 (Vice President’s Office).

While at the U of S she met and married David Lockerbie and they raised a family of four. Her home was always full of music and various activities. Two marvelous years were spent in Lahr, West Germany, when she and their young family (4 yrs-15 yrs) accompanied David on a teaching assignment with the Department of National Defence (1973-75). The family travelled Europe extensively and skied its many slopes. On their return, they spent a good number of summers at Big Shell Lake where they built and enjoyed cabin life. Upon retirement, Orla and David spent many enjoyable winters in Mesa, AZ touring the environs and participating in the many Snowbird activities.

Left to mourn Orla are her husband of 67 years (married 1958), David; daughter Marina (Bryce) Barrie, children Scott (Jasmine) and Kristen (Alex); eldest son Cameron; son Michael (Betty), their sons Sean (Rebecca) and Daniel (Nevaeh); son Ian (Jill), their daughters Naomi and Farah; brother Fred (Theresa) Minish; sisters-in-law Shirley Smith, and Gladys Minish; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Orville and Ethel Minish; sisters Marion Smith, Keitha Allen, Vera Stevens, Shirley Shappert; brothers John Minish, Bill Minish and Bob Minish; sisters-in-law Viola Minish, Ruth Minish, Faye Minish & Pauline Minish; brothers-in-law Bill Smith, Syd Allen, Willis Stevens, Carl Shappert and Don Smith.

Orla delighted in the academic, musical and athletic accomplishments of her children and grandchildren. She also had a close relationship with her eight siblings and their families. She had many dear friends and kept in touch with them throughout the years. Orla was a committed member of the United Church. She was interested in genealogy and wrote a number of historical memoirs about her family. Orla enjoyed oil painting, ceramics, batiking, making costumes, dancing and clogging, skiing, gardening, camping, hiking, nature, playing bridge, tennis, golf, and especially entertaining family and friends, often involving musical or artistic experiences.

Orla was a founding member of Grandmothers 4 Grandmothers, an organization supporting the Stephen Lewis Foundation to assist African grandmothers caring for AIDS orphans, and was honoured in Time Magazine for this activity. The organization has attracted many like-minded grandmothers throughout Canada, who strive to turn the tide of AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 22, at Saskatoon Funeral Home, 338 4th Avenue North, Saskatoon, followed by a reception at the Edwards Family Centre. Interment will take place at Hillcrest Cemetery. The Service will also be live streamed and recorded, and can be viewed at the Link on the Obituary/Tribute page at www.saskatoonfuneralhome.com where condolences may be left for the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to Saskatoon Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Stephen Lewis Foundation www.stephenlewisfoundation.org (use fund allocation: Grandmothers)