Obituary of Lorna Gladman

August 16, 1962 -Victoria, British Columbia

September 28, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

It is with great sadness that we announce the death, on September 28, 2022, of our beloved Lorna Kathleen Gladman.

Lorna was born August 16, 1962, in Victoria B.C. After graduating from high school in Calgary, Lorna attended university in Aix-en-Provence where she perfected her French. She went on to earn a BA in Art History from McGill, an MA in Art History from Boston University and a degree in Law from the University of Victoria.

Lorna was a lifelong crusader for the environment and for social justice. In November 1989, she was in Berlin for the jubilant night when the Wall came down and she brought everyone in the family a little piece of yellow concrete as a souvenir. She worked for Greenpeace in Toronto and, in 1990, took part in a protest against British warships which were approved to carry nuclear weapons and which had docked in Toronto Harbour. In the Greenpeace zodiac, Lorna’s task was to hold the stencil so the “No Nukes” message could be spray painted on the sides of the massive ships. The protestors were detained by police but not charged, to the relief of Lorna who was planning to apply to Law School. The next year Lorna underwent training to work in Guatemala as an international overseer guiding peasants from Mexico back into Guatemala after the civil war displaced them from their land. For months she lived on beans and rice, slept in a hammock, and became a fluent Spanish speaker in jungle camps in the most dangerous conditions.

During her time at UVic, Lorna was able to spend a semester working for a British legal firm in Vietnam where she was bemused by the huge gala celebrating the return of Coca-Cola to the country after the Vietnam War. She went on to article back in Calgary where she worked as an immigration lawyer and most recently, as a Legal Aid lawyer in the Youth Justice Department.

Lorna’s humanitarian work was an important part of her life. Her favourite volunteer work was for Kiva, a non-profit organization that supplies small loans to assist people starting home businesses in developing countries. She was recognized by Kiva with the Mango Tree Award for reviewing and translating over 500 borrower profiles.

Lorna’s sense of adventure led her all over the world; she enjoyed travelling with her children, her mother, her sister, and her friends. In the last three years, despite being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in June of 2019, she made trips to see friends in Ottawa, Boston, Cape Breton, and Florida as well as visiting Tofino, Iqaluit, and Eastern Europe.

Lorna was kind, generous and incredibly smart. She always championed the underdog both in her life and in her career as a lawyer. She never complained or felt sorry for herself and despite her failing health, she faced each day with grace and courage. She has maintained many lifelong friendships, and, since Jackson was born in 2000, and Kajal in 2002, she has nurtured her children, developing in them the determination to lead good lives and to do something worthwhile for humankind. It’s hard to imagine a world without Lorna in it, but she will live in our hearts forever.

Lorna is survived by her son, Jackson Bahrami, and her daughter, Kajal Bahrami; her mother, Sharon Gladman; her brother, Dr. Paul Gladman (Ginny Hughes); and her sister Susan Gladman, as well as nieces Zoe and Ava Gladman and nephews Reid and Milo Gladman. She was predeceased by her father, Dr. Donald Gladman, in September 2019.

The family would like to thank Dr. Tara Pickering and the wonderful staff at Rosedale Hospice for the compassionate care they provided during Lorna’s last days.

To mourn our loss and celebrate Lorna’s fie, a service will be held at Anglican Parish of Christ Church (3602 – 8th Street S.W., Calgary, AB) on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Church Hall. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here. Donations may be made in Lorna’s honour to Kiva or to Ovarian Cancer Canada or to a charity of your choice.

In living memory of Lorna Gladman, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.

Click Here to View Lorna Gladman's Memorial Card