Lorraine McInroy couldn’t be happier with her choice to make The Hawthorn at Elim Village Garrison Crossing her home. “They offer so many activities and opportunities for entertainment,” says the mom of three, grandmother of four, great grandmother of eight, and great-great grandmother of one. On the walls and shelves of her beautifully appointed suite, family photos take pride of place.
Not only does she enjoy the vibrant community, but two of her longtime Sweet Adeline friends also live at Elim Village, which makes the transition even more enjoyable.
Originally from Nova Scotia, Lorraine joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1952 to honour her older brother, who had enlisted two years earlier and tragically died in a workplace accident. Despite a friend backing out of their enlistment plans, Lorraine forged ahead and pursued medical assistant training in Quebec and Ottawa. “I enjoyed it very much,” she says. “It was a great career.”
After completing her training, Lorraine was stationed in Goose Bay, Labrador, where she met the “handsome” man who would become her husband. “He asked me to go to a movie with him,” she remembers fondly. That man was Ken McInroy and their romance blossomed. She was set to be transferred to Germany, but a kind supervisor helped arrange a transfer to Edmonton, instead, where Ken was posted. In 1956, they were married in Kelowna, BC.
Lorraine continued her military career until the birth of their first child in 1957. At that time, women with children were not allowed to serve, so she became a stay-at-home mom, raising three children with Ken. As a military family, they were frequently relocated, living in Nova Scotia, France, Germany, and finally Chilliwack in 1970. After Ken retired in 1986, they built a home in Sardis.
When the children were grown, Lorraine joined the Green Heart Chorus and spent nearly 20 years singing lead with longtime friends Gwen and Eva, now fellow Elim Village residents. One of her proudest moments was when the Chorus won First Prize for Small Chorus at Sweet Adelines International in 2004. Lorraine proudly displays the medal and photo from that achievement.
After Ken’s passing in 2018, Lorraine realized the upkeep of their property was becoming too much. In 2023, she made the decision to move to The Hawthorn. “I decided I would be the one to decide,” she says with a smile. “And it’s been a good decision.”
Live your life to the fullest at Elim Village Garrison Crossing. Learn more at elimvillage.com, by calling 604-769-0022, or by emailing garrisoncrossing@elimvillage.com. Stay up to date with their latest offerings by subscribing to their mailing list.