In Celebration of

Loreen Lorna Lee

March 9, 1942 -  August 6, 2024

Born in Peterborough, Ontario on March 9, 1942, to Bernard Ward Vernon Lee and Germaine Marie Rose O’Shaughnessy, Loreen passed away peacefully on August 6, 2024 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Toronto. Beloved mother to Dera Jardine Nevin and Remington Lee Nevin. She is survived by her brother, Melvin Allen Lee. Her beloved husband, Michael Peter Nevin, predeceased her on November 20, 2022, their 52nd wedding anniversary. Loreen grew up in the Roncesvalles neighborhood of Toronto and studied in Ryerson’s Radio & TV Arts program and at the National Theatre School of Canada. She enjoyed success as an actor, traveling across Canada and to the US, and was acclaimed for her work in revues and cabarets at the Dell Theatre. Part of the 1960s arts scenes in Montreal and Toronto, Loreen held her own alongside people who would become world famous. Family lore holds that she was an inspiration for the Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”. An accomplished typist, Loreen worked for Margaret Lawrence and other novelists in residence at Massey College. After meeting Michael in 1969 and starting a family, Loreen was a devoted mother, pouring her remarkable intelligence and creativity into child rearing. She took freelance typing work from OISE PhD students to gain access to research on early childhood education which she applied using Orff, puppetry shows, and language training. Loreen loved to play Bach’s Goldberg Variations and Schubert’s lieder and read widely in philosophy. In mid-life Loreen enrolled in the University of Toronto and earned degrees in music and philosophy, and teaching. She also self-studied theology, which deepened her Catholic faith. Loreen was compassionate, sensitive, charitable, and attuned to the experiences of the marginalized and outcast. Loreen experienced trauma early in life and was a survivor of a mental health system that she felt stigmatized rather than treated her. In later life she wrote a book, Portals of Paradox, about her incarceration and self-advocacy. Throughout her life, home and children were her priorities and her relationship with Michael was her guiding light. Loreen was a visionary, poet, and beautiful soul known for speaking truth to power. She will be deeply missed. Visitation at Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel is scheduled for August 15 from 2-4pm. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Vincent de Paul on Roncesvalles on August 16 at 12:30 pm, followed by interment at Mount Hope Cemetery.

Guestbook 

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Reed Harmer (Friend)

Entered August 13, 2024 from Deep River

I sent her the first poem that I wrote and was surprised when she sent it back critiqued. It meant a lot.
Thank you.

MEL Lee (Brother)

Entered August 14, 2024 from Mississauga On

My big sister was a wonderful caring Christian, who brilliant as she was, always found time to listen and learn and chat with others to share and advance their well being and knowledge,
She was devoted to her children as was her mother Germaine O'Shaughnessy Lee devoted to her throughout all the challenges life brings. We both had good times growing up and completing our educations, getting married and times with the "kids' Yes there were bumps on the way but Loreen survived with her courage, fortitude and sometimes genius with a tad of luck thrown in.
Most of all , her Catholic faith guided her through life more and more. Father Daniel Utrecht was a great help with her spirituality and the Sacraments gave her strength and deep love of JESUS. Father said she is well prepared for Heaven. May her soul be with Our Lord as she was welcomed by many of those family loved ones gone before us. Loreen I loved you ! and was always there for you ALWAYS Mel

Bob & Rosemary Nogue (Cousin)

Entered August 14, 2024 from Calgary AB

Loreen was an older cousin from the East when I grew up. We only met her a few times and I was taken by her passion for and involvement in the Arts - she was a cool cousin doing interesting things. With the advent of social media we have been able to keep track of developments in her life and Mel's life and maintained the distant physical connection but a very alive heart connection. A beautiful tribute that highlights Loreen's many accomplishments the greatest of which are her two children Dera and Remington. It is beautiful how they were able to be with her in her final days. May the memories of a life well lived provide solace in this time of loss. Please accept our condolences. Our life is better for having had Loreen in it.

Lynn (Cousin)

Entered August 14, 2024 from Burlington

I am so sorry for the loss of Loreen. Although I did not know her, Loreen always likes my posts on Facebook. I will miss that interaction. May you find comfort in your memories of Loreen.

Brian o'shaughnessy 

Entered August 14, 2024 from Goulais River

Our thoughts are with all of the family. Rest in peace.

Photos 

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