Lorna Areda Kepes

1945 - 2024

Lorna Areda Kepes

Pelham, MA - Lorna Areda (Hinton) Kepes, 78, of Pelham, passed away peacefully in her home on Tuesday April 30, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Manchester, England on November 18, 1945, to the late George and Victoria (Stevens) Hinton.

As a child, she grew up in remote mining camps in Northern Mexico which instilled in her a lasting affinity for the culture and soul of Mexico. She attended Verde Valley High School in Arizona, and then studied at San Francisco State College, Mexico City College and the Museum School in Boston. She worked as the Director of El Arco Iris, an after-school youth art program in Holyoke, and as a social worker for Childrens' Aid and Family Services and Sisters of Providence. Along with her husband, Imre Kepes, she founded the GuateMaya Art and Culture Connection, a project that supports indigenous Mayan artists and artisans of Guatemala through fair trade sales of their arts and crafts in the United States at exhibits and outlets including the Cultural Survival Bazaars, other art and craft fairs, galleries, and local coffee shops. The project also promoted cultural exchange by bringing the artists and artisans to the United States to share their art and culture. She developed lasting connections with many of the artists and their families during yearly visits to the indigenous communities around Lake Atitlan. Lorna was also a visionary artist best known for her vibrant highly decorated pottery and was a member of the Asparagus Valley Potters Guild and the Leverett Crafts and Arts Center. Artistic expression was in her blood, and she enjoyed sketching, drawing, painting, writing and journaling at every opportunity she had. She later went on to write, illustrate and publish a guide of life lessons and personal growth titled "Recipes for a Delectable Life".

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 48 years, Imre Kepes of Pelham, her four boys, Pablo Hopman of Carlisle, MA, Sterling Hopman, of Bocas Del Toro, Panama, Quinn Kepes of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, and Gyuri Kepes of Northampton, MA, along with seven grandchildren, her sister, Joan Hinton of Southport, ME, and nieces and nephews. She is remembered by friends far and wide for her brilliant smile, infectious laugh, radiant personality, and free spirit.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her brother Steve Hinton.

All services will be private and at the convenience of the family. DROZDAL FUNERAL HOME OF NORTHAMPTON has been entrusted with her care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to: The Verde Valley School, Native American Scholarship Fund (see at: https://www.vvsaz.org/support-vvs/how-to-give )

For more information or to leave the family a personal condolence or memory please visit Drozdalfuneralhome.com.