Lorna Cooke Tetro passed away on August 19, 2014 in Exeter, Ontario, in her 94th year. Lorna was predeceased by her husband James L Cooke (1977) and Robert Tetro (2000) and leaves son Jim Cooke Jr. (Camille) of Lighthouse Cove and daughter Cass Bayley (Adrian) of Hensall. She was the proud grandmother of Erin Ross (Quinn) of Bayfield, Gregg Cooke of Lighthouse Cove, Nic (Antonella) and Gresham Bayley (Meredith Slemko) of Toronto. She also leaves her Connecticut family including James Tetro of Connecticut, Bill Tetro of Florida and the late Bob Tetreault (Tim LaNoir) of Florida. This family and their children and grandchildren were a huge delight in her life.
Lorna was the daughter of Hugh Bathgate McKinnon (Liberal MP Rainy River/Kenora) and Edna Dagnault. She was the last living of their seven children Billy McKinnon, Hugh McKinnon, Dorothy Higginson, Monica Jackson, Helen McKinnon and Ed McKinnon. The McKinnon clan was a central part of Lorna’s life and she leaves many nieces and nephews.
Lorna was a kind, classy and extraordinary woman who led a full and colourful life in Ontario, Connecticut and Florida. She was an avid golfer, swimmer, skier and curler who enjoyed world travels with a host of exemplary friends. Lorna weathered the many glories and tribulations that a long life brings with unwavering grace. She will be greatly missed.
Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Lorna’s life on Saturday September 6th at 11am at the Bayley Farm. In lieu of flowers kindly donate to the South Huron Hospital Foundation (Exeter) or a charity of your choice in Lorna’s name.
TETRO, Lorna Cooke
Robert & Jeannette Leboeuf
Our deepest condolences to all the family,
Know that our thoughts & prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Lorna, will never be forgotten.
Robert & Jeannette Leboeuf, Rose & Paul Parent
Jim (& Amy) Hossack
Our deepest condolences to you, Jim and Cass. I have so many fond memories of Lorna – in Oakville, Orangeville, and at The Lighthouse. Your mother was elegant, a really class person. She will never be forgotten. And what a wonderful life she led! May she rest in peace.
Jim (& Amy)
Hugh Evans McKinnon
Dear Cass, Jim & Adrian and Aunt Lorna’s Grandchildren.
Aunt, Lorna, was a Lady Blessed with an Abundance of Dignity, Grace ,Poise ,Charisma,and both inner and outer Beauty and that Great McKinnon sense of humour . You could often feel, what she was feeling by that loving & ,penetrating glance.
I will always remember our family Matriarch , both, for her lovely McKinnon, sense of humour , as well as her Deep unconditional Love and her caring,& Compassion, for others. Lorna’s Greatest form of Worship, was captured in the, simple Eloquence of the way,that she lived her daily life..
Deep in my Heart, I feel that Aunt Lorna’s Greatest Legacy, , is in the Wonderful family that she has left behind for all of us, Indeed we are truly Blessed , now let us Celebrate her Wonderful Life.
My Heartfelt Condolences, With All My Love, Hugh Evans McKinnon
Richard McKinnon
My sincerest condolences to all the family.
Randy & Sharon Miller
There are some people you meet in life who are charismatic. Lorna was one of them. She will be missed but fondly remembered. Our thoughts are with all of you.
Becky & Paul Bechard
Dear Gregg & Family;
Please know that our thoughts & prayers are with you & your family during this difficult time.
Becky & Paul
Randy and Paula Aitken
Jim,Gregg and family
Sorry to hear the loss of your mother and grandmother. Thinking of you at this time.
Susan Abbey
Dear Cass, Jim and Family – The Abbey women send their deepest condolences. Lorna was an amazing, amazing woman – a true matriarch for an extended clan. She was so kind and so elegant. She holds a special place in our hearts. Much love, Susan
George and Shirley Pietras and Family
To Jim and Gregg, Shirley,George,Jamie and Brooke wish to convey our condolences with the passing of your mother/grandmother.Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Anne MacDonald
Cass & Jim – thoughts and prayers to you both and your families. I have many memories of all of you back in the days of “The William Pitt ” era. Your mother was a lovely and caring person and I am sure you have wonderful memories that you can call upon to help you thru this loss.
Jane, Mark, Evan and Rebecca
Cass, Jim, Adrian, Gresham and Nic, it is with great sadness to hear about Aunt Lorna’s passing. I have known her my all of my life and will treasure all the memories. She was always so elegant, composed, classy, and graceful. Lorna possessed a fabulous sense of humour always with a twinkle in her eye.
She had an interest in every member of her family.That McKinnon clan generation were a special bunch of people, with great intelligence and a wicked sense of humour; every one of them. It is sad to see the passing of the last of those special ones, but the memories are endless, loving and will keep us laughing fondly for many years to come.
We too miss her already! Rest peacefully Aunt Lorna! xo
Chan, Christina, Lyla and Darcy
To Cass and Jim. Our sincerest condolences to you both for the loss of your dear mum.
To Nic, Gresh, Gregg and Erin on the loss of your Granny. We are thinking of you.
My Aunt Lorna, who was in my life for long as my memory serves, was one of the sweetest, kindest and most gentle people I have ever had the honour and privilege to know.
There was a beautiful quality to those McKinnons from Kenora. They could laugh so hard it would be contagious and they could smile with their eyes unlike anyone I have ever known.
As the last of them passes on and the hole in our hearts grows a little bigger, we only need to close our eyes and picture all of the beautiful memories. I am picturing Ed teasing her now….
Nelson Kan
I am sorry and so sad to hear that Lorna’s passing. Her kindness and beautiful face always in my memories. Please accept my heartfelt condolence.
Rosaleen Dumbar
Cass and family, so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. It is a time of mourning but also a time to reflect on her life and the wonderful memories she has left with you all.
Mildred Swwetman and Family
Cass and Jim and family,
It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of your classy, beautiful, bright Lorna! What an honour to have had her in our lives for so many years. Lorna was the class of her generation-a vanishing breed. We will always treasure our memories of her!
With our love.
Dorothy Spiegelberg
My sincere condolences Cass, to you and your family. Your mother was always so kind to me. I have pleasant memories of her and I remember her fondly. Thinking of you.
Dorothy Spiegelberg (Maurer)
Heather Armstrong
Lorna was the kind of woman most of us wished we could be…gracious and warm and elegant….with a wicked sense of humor.
I miss her already.
Marianne Beausejour
It is with great sadness that I hear of ‘Mrs. Cooke’s’ passing. Even after all these years, Lorna seems simply to casual to refer to such a regal, composed lady. She impact many of us who worked for years at the Lighthouse. I will always think of her with great fondness. May she rest in peace. What a Lady!
Hilda and Jacques
It is with a very saddened heart that Jacq and I send our condolences to the family that I love, hearing the news of Lorna’s passing. For me she was always an inspiration of elegance and class. She will be missed greatly.
Evelyn Steckle Vincent
Cass and family,
Sincere sympathy in your loss. Trust you have many good memories to help bring comfort. Thinking of you.
Wilson Chau
I still remember the time when I worked for Lorna at the Lighthouse Inn from 1974 to 1979. It was one of the most memorable days of my life. Those are the kind of things that she will be remembered for – caring for all of us, and bringing laughter in our lives. And while it’s going to be very difficult to think of this world without her, it is a happy thought knowing that wherever she is, she is only spreading happiness.
Joanne & Joe Bengough and Family
Sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing, thinking of you all at this time.
maureen wood
The Family Of Lorna
Thinking of you at this sad time. Lorna had a Beautiful Life , & lots of Love from her family.
Skip
Karen Brown
Cass and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you today and in the months ahead as you remember your beloved mother.
Chuck & Pam Ross
Lorna will be greatly missed by all of us who were fortunate enough to know and love her. Rest in Peace Granny.
Karen & Randy Stanlake
Our hearts go out to you at this most difficult time in your life. May you soon turn your grief into a great celebration of her life. She lives on in the memories tucked away in the hearts of all those who loved her.
Please accept our sincerest condolences.