Sunday, January 8th saw the passing of a Central Saanich pioneer. Predeceased by her husband, Alan, her brother, Ken Thomson, and sister, Joyce MacDonald, Lorna had a full life lived with integrity.
Born in 1921, in the farmhouse that still stands on West Saanich Rd, she lived by strong values shaped by the Great Depression and World War II. The youngest of three children she was proud of her time working their farm of over a hundred acres. As young as ten years old Lorna, and her Sheltie Mac, were given the responsibility of taking their herd of cattle to graze in the unfenced fields and bush each morning then bringing them back for milking. This time ranging over the countryside gave her a love and knowledge of this area and its wild spaces which expanded when she joined the Girl’s Guides and hiked extensively under the leadership of Ethnie Gibson.
During her teenage years, she discovered the sport of badminton and by 1934, when the Brentwood hall was built, she was hooked, playing competitively at a high level with her sister and her Sluggett cousins. Though her competitive career was interrupted by war and the arrival of her daughters, she won the city singles title in1954.
During the war, she met a young man from Jasper, Alberta who would win her heart. She married Alan Pugh in 1947 and they celebrated 65 years together before his death. They have four daughters who are grateful for a wonderful childhood, Frances Pugh, Winona Pugh (Bill Jenson), Gillian Pugh (Craig Darling), and Geraldine Pugh (Rob Oldfield).
Lorna trained as a stenographer and joined the civil service in 1939 working in the Water Rights branch until her marriage. When the girls were older she put those skills to use working as the school secretary for several local elementary schools and she often acted as secretary to volunteer groups.
Lorna worked determinedly for the ideals she believed in such as self sustainability, local food production and the preservation of the natural environment She was a founding member of Saanich Inlet Protection Society. She actively walked politicians and policy makers over land she thought should be saved and had a part in the creation of Gore Park, Oak Haven Park, Centennial Park and Gowland-Tod Park.
While her children were in school she was on the PTA executive, coached badminton and always could be called upon to drive school teams to games. She was an active member of the Saanich Pioneer Society, Mt Newton Day Care Centre, Saanich Fair, and Brentwood Community Club. Throughout her 95 years she was committed to family and community.
We would like to thank Filo Bonganay for providing the companionship that allowed Lorna to retain her independence and also all of the palliative care staff and volunteers at Saanich Peninsula Hospital for their thoughtful attention.
There will be a memorial service at St. Stephen’s Church at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, January 31st with a reception following at Saanich Pioneer Log Cabin Museum at 2:30. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Mt. Newton Day Care Centre or the Saanich Pioneer Society.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
mccallgardens.com.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Lorna Grace Pugh – December 16, 1921 – January 8, 2017.source

avis deces Lorna Grace Pugh – December 16, 1921 – January 8, 2017avis mortuaire Lorna Grace Pugh – December 16, 1921 – January 8, 2017