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Lorna Donley Obituary
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Diane Stojentin
December 3, 2023
Hi Lorna, I look forward to our visits when I get lucky enough to practice in your studio room; I always feel looked after at your library. May you continue to bless the world through your seat in heaven.
Debra Wojtkiewicz
June 23, 2023
My son and I are enjoying Lorna's piano at the Harold Washington Library and just wanted to say thank you for this wonderful gift in her memory and offer our condolences for your loss.
Kenneth Lane
March 23, 2019
Lorna you will never be forgotten the kindness of your smile and gentleness of your spirit.
Your friend Kenneth Lane.
Luis Miguel Penalva
July 20, 2018
Descansa en paz
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Sandra Taggart
April 23, 2014
I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Lorna. I met her only a few times while working on a project at Dominican. She was a wonderful person and will be missed greatly. My deepest sympathies.
Susan Bertolino
February 4, 2014
Love you, Lorna.
John and Susan
Susan Bertolino
February 4, 2014
Lorna and I were close friends in the late 80s to the mid 90s. I'm sharing some photos from my wedding on October 13th, 1990. She sat at our head table with two other close friends as my sister, who was a bridesmaid, didn't want to be there. We had a blast. I loved Lorna like a sister, and we drifted apart, but I always hoped we'd revive our friendship as she was so dear to me. I only found out about her passing yesterday as I live in Philly now. My heart goes out to her husband, her father and her siblings. Lorna, my husband, John, sends his heartfelt love. I'm so happy that you enjoyed your work in the Chicago Public Library and made such an impact on our great mutual city, Chicago. You will never be far from my thoughts.
Lorna and Me Talking After I Said the Vows
Susan Bertolino
February 4, 2014
Lorna is About To Catch My Bouquet--She was Shocked!
Susan Bertolino
February 4, 2014
Lorna Sat At The Head Table at My Wedding
Susan Bertolino
February 4, 2014
ROCEIAL DAWSON
January 17, 2014
SORRY FOR YOUR LOST, I AM AN EMPLOYEE @ HAROLD WASHINGTON LIBRARY, DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO MEET HER, BUT I HAVE THE IMPRESSION SHE WAS A WONDERFUL WOMAN AND A TRUE MUSICIAN.THE FAMILY HAVE MY CONDOLENCES, R DAWSON/COMPUTER COMMONS.
Cathy Reed
January 8, 2014
Lorna, Rest In Peace, Angel. I can remember like it was yesterday sitting on the bed at our retreat and talking about films. We laughed about my Busby Berkley collection and that was the beginning! My thoughts and prayers are with Scott, your family and four babies. We have lost a lovely spirit.
SUSAN LUMPKINS
January 8, 2014
Words can not express how i feel Lorna you will truely be missed R.I.P. Beautiful lady gone bit not forgotten.
January 7, 2014
Lorna Always had a beautiful smile Blessing to her Husband & Family. A.Perkins C.P.L.
Yohance Trice
December 16, 2013
i send my sympahties to Lorna's husband Scott and the rest of her family as well. I worked with Lorna her ar HWLC and even though it was for a short amount of time. I could tell she was a kind and caring person and will miss working with her.
Sarah Erekson
December 12, 2013
Chicago didn't just lose a pioneering musician, but an excellent librarian and expert in Chicago history. Lorna's passion for knowledge and stewardship were inspiring. Her enthusiasm for preserving the past and the treasures of libraries and archives was contagious. Once I found a 1937 plan to create a superhighway on the west side of Chicago. We drooled over the beautiful 'before' pictures of the neighborhoods. We lamented that these gems of Chicago history were so hidden. I loved working with her on an expansion of the Chicago timeline section of the library's website. She got it and couldn't wait for the added outreach opportunities and interaction aspects of the blogging project. One of the areas I asked for her help with was the Chicago Academy of Sciences. She mentioned loving that institution with its dusty cases and weird specimens. Just before Thanksgiving, I found a 1987 Chicago Tribune magazine dedicated to the Academy of Sciences. I saved it at my desk, waiting to share it with her. She had so much energy for projects that are usually put on the back burner. She was always calm and patient dealing with patrons. She had a passion for the profession that will truly be missed. She had such a loving demeanor that even I, a colleague who barely knew her, could turn to her for support. I think she would tell me everything will be ok but I still don't know what to say or how we're going to move forward with the project without our star librarian. Lorna, you will always be in my heart. Peace and love to her husband, family and friends.
Duffy Burdick
December 11, 2013
You were a beautiful, talented, intelligent woman with a great sense of humor. I valued your friendship and my heart goes out to your family, friends, & fans.
Vincent Dougherty
December 11, 2013
You were an amazing woman and artist. Your view of the world could inspire insight one moment and laughter the next. It was a privilege to know you. My heart goes out to your husband and family.
December 10, 2013
Heaven has a beautiful Angel !
Alison Hinderliter
December 10, 2013
My deepest condolences to Lorna's husband Scott and her family, and all of her close friends. I knew her as a musician and a librarian, but also as a wonderful, smart, fun-filled woman who could light up any room and any conversation. I will miss her so much.
RF
December 10, 2013
I didn't know Lorna personally, but she sounds like a great person. I extend my heartfelt condolences to her family. May the God of all comfort sustain you during these times.
Chris Keech
December 8, 2013
Lorna was an awesome and fascinating person and I am so glad to have known her! My thoughts are with her family and friends (including cats).
Kathryn R. J. Tutkus
December 8, 2013
Lorna,
Our parallel lives finally intersected when you came to work in Special Collections at Harold Washington Library Center. We sat there and counted out the less than six degrees of separation we've had all these years, Lincoln Park, Barnaby, Reader friends, music friends, Elmhurst, Damen Avenue, and it all was too dizzying to count the times our paths had almost crossed, bumped, collided, but we finally met and had much to talk about.
I'm glad that, by chance again, we ran into each other last month to trade smiles and hugs.
To Lorna's family,
You meant a great deal to her, she loved you all so very much and would talk about you with such a tender heart full of love and pride and so full of how she felt loved and cared for in return.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. May the memory of Lorna's sweet smile, soft kind words and the love she felt for you all be of great comfort.
-Sincerely,
Kathryn R. J. Tutkus
December 8, 2013
Lorna was truly one of kind - thoughtful yet fun loving, passionate but with a calm heart. I will miss her greatly. Anji Holtzman (CPL Colleague)
Leroy Fields
December 8, 2013
I am deeply saddened at your untimely passing. I will always remember you as a creative, inspired musician, but more importantly, a wonderful human being.
Diane Stojentin
December 7, 2013
Great woman. Always really loving, funny, so creative, so gifted, and of course incredibly beautiful. Lorna was the most unpretentious, amazing human being. I really loved her. And so many other people were just crazy about her. Love and support to all of her friends and family.
December 7, 2013
miss you, always had fun and enjoyed our talks. See you down the road.
Connie Gordon
December 7, 2013
I worked with Lorna for four years in CPL's Special Collections Division and always admired her distinctive personal style and gift for effective, sympathetic library service to our patrons. Regret that I never heard her sing. Truly, may she rest in perpetual peace.
(Max) Robert Mullins
December 7, 2013
Although our paths crossed for just a brief time, Lorna was a very memorable person. I'll always remember as someone who had a zest, was passionate and a caring person. And yes, she did have a deep love for her cats.
My condolences to her family!
Dave and Laurel
December 7, 2013
Our deepest love and condolences to Scott Kate and August
Andrea Telli
December 7, 2013
Her colleagues and friends at the Chicago Public Library loved her and valued her work. She will be missed. We all wrap our arms around Scott at this terrible time.
Elizabeth Cholet
December 7, 2013
I met Lorna in 1980 and have admired her ever since. She made her mark on Chicago and on music and will not be forgotten.
joe shanahan
December 6, 2013
my condolences...i followed her and the music she made for years. she was a very passionate person and she left a musical mark on chicago that will always be remebered. my thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Sunny Chapman
December 6, 2013
One of the coolest people I ever knew, beautiful inside and out. Very sad.
Deborah Paige-Jackson
December 6, 2013
Dear Scott, My heart aches for your loss. I will continue to pray that you receive the comfort and strength to travel through this unbearable time. Also know that Lorna was always a lovely person to me.
Psalm 27:14 Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Susan lumpkins
December 6, 2013
To scott earth has no sorrow that heaven can not heal praying for you and the Family miss you Lorna gone but not forgotten!
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