Obituary of Lorraine Louise Edwards

Lorraine Edwards (née Ball), 82, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, died peacefully at 11:14 pm on December 16, 2021, at the Willow Square Continuing Care Facility, Fort McMurray, Alberta. Lorraine was born in Stanhope, NL, to Albert & Cecilia Ball on April 5, 1939, the eldest of ten. She married the love of her life, Joseph (Joe) Edmond Edwards, on September 19, 1958, in the Bethel Pentecostal Church in Stanhope. Together they raised their family of five in Stanhope, NL, with some years spent in Brampton, Ontario, and then returned to Stanhope, NL, where her husband later passed away. Lorraine and Joe cared for their grandchild, Joey Edwards, for a number of years. Joey suffered from Reyes Syndrome and was dependent on them in all matters. Lorraine and Joe ran a successful plastering and painting company for several years in NL. After Joe’s death, Lorraine relocated to Halifax and continued caring for Joey until his death at the age of 27. Lorraine then moved to Gregoire Lake Estates, Fort McMurray, Alberta, to live with her son and daughter-in-law, LeMont and Suesan, until her passing. Throughout her life, Lorraine held a few jobs, including teaching in a one-room classroom, as an aid in a nursing home, factory worker at a paper plant (we were never short on paper), Business Manager at L & J Edwards Plastering & Painting Co. Ltd, and President at Sewing Essentials, LLC. She was involved in numerous organizations focused on access and the inequalities of persons with mental & physical disabilities pertaining to businesses and the educational system. The Lieutenant-Governor appointed her in Council as a member of the Newfoundland Human Rights Commission. She was a past president of the Norte Dame Association for Community Living, past chairperson of the Local District Committee of Stanhope, member of the Integration Committee for the 1990 Winter Games, member of the Reyes Syndrome Foundation, and a member of Blissymbolics Association of Newfoundland and Labrador. Lorraine was a multi-talented woman. She played piano and guitar and loved to read. Her kindle went with her everywhere. She made many things back in the day with her rock polisher, enjoyed knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch, sewing, jewelry making, winemaking, and painting, to name a few. She was a talented artist, and painting gave her the greatest joy. Lorraine is preceded in death by her loving husband of 32 years, Joseph Edmond Edwards, grandson Joseph (Joey) Walter Edwards Jr., parents Albert & Cecilia Ball, siblings Nelson, Bertram (Bert), & Lawrence Ball. Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Kenneth, Marlene, and spouse Bryan Little, LeMont and spouse Suesan, Michael and spouse Tara Lynn, David and partner Sandra Judge; sisters Joy Curtis & Marjorie Baskin, brothers Melvin, Donald, Earl, and Everett Ball; grandchildren Cory Moyles, Kayla Lovell, Alexandria Edwards, Matthew & Mitchell Edwards, Nicholas & Natasha Beuree-Edwards; great-grandchildren, Isabella & Madeleine Moyles, and Nolan Lovell and a large circle of relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held in Stanhope, NL, at a later date. Lorraine wished to be cremated and will remain with family until the funeral. The family of Lorraine Edwards wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the Doctors, Nurses, Aides, and Care Givers at the Bonnyville Continuing Care Facility and Willow Square Continuing Care Facility in Fort McMurray.