Kingston, NS
September 3, 1956 - February 2, 2024
On Friday, February 2nd, 2024, at 10:30 in the morning, Lorraine Mockford died. Bathed in the love of her family, she closed her eyes and found her final peace.
Lorraine was born in Orangeville, Ontario, on September 3rd, 1956, to Helene and Jeff. She was their eldest daughter and was a big sister to Jacqueline (Lee) and David. While a child, her family moved to Lucky Lake, Saskatchewan, before finally settling in Victoria, BC. It was in Victoria that she met the love of her life, Steve; they married in 1972. Their 50-year union produced three children: Damion (Sheila), Tiffany (Rob), and Willow.
With fierce will and determination Lorraine always pursued higher education. Raising her children while working full time, she managed to carve out the time to attain a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Alberta and later her master’s in education focusing on community college leadership from the University of PEI.
Her professional career included over 25 years of service to the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC). She worked mainly in Health and Human Services, having a hand in the creation of the Early Childhood Studies program before working as an instructional designer, helping pioneer the NSCC’s adoption of online learning and blended learning.
Following retirement, her focus included volunteering and facilitating for the Virtual International Day of the Midwife, being program coordinator for Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education and continuing to occasionally teach under contract for the NSCC.
Lorraine was a spiritual force of nature; she valued her friendships deeply and stood strong as her family’s matriarch. She had a particular pride in her four “grandies”, Rain, Aunaka, Cole (Chelsee), and Jessica, and helped mould them into the wonderful people they are today.
Lorraine wished to echo her husband Steve’s final words to "do collective good" but also wanted to urge others to get into “good trouble” by calling out injustice when you see it. Life is not a spectator sport; jump in and get messy.
Her children would like to thank their family and friends who have offered support and love during this difficult time.
There will be a private interment in Burlington Cemetery, with a celebration of life planned in the spring. In lieu of flowers, Lorraine asked for donations to be made to the Steve Mockford Memorial Student Research Award, care of the Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute.
Comments