Lorraine Audrey Rea

LORRAINE AUDREY REA (nee SHATZ)
Lorraine passed away peacefully on May 7, 2026 in Edmonton with family by her side. Born June 11, 1929 she grew up on a farm just outside of Bow Island, Alberta with her parents and three sisters. Along with wheat, they raised cows, goats, chickens and horses. After finishing high school, she moved to Edmonton where she graduated from the U of A with a Bachelor of Science in Household Economics in 1951, and shortly after obtained her first job with the Alberta Government Dept of Agriculture in Hanna, Alberta. Despite her not having a car, she took on that challenge travelling by train to meet and promote Alberta farmers and producers.

It was in Hanna she met her husband Cleveland, a marriage that lasted for 58 years until his death in 2012. From Hanna to Calgary to Medicine Hat, raising six children was a full-time job, yet she kept active with CWL and other community events, often hosting tea socials in her home. When the family moved to Edmonton, she continued her career with the Alberta Government.

Coming from a farm background, she was a natural for promoting Alberta’s agricultural products at Farmers’ Markets, developing publications, meeting with numerous producers throughout the province, and even appearing on morning TV shows, most famously for Alberta lamb. Her children tested many lamb dinner recipes, and all took turns working at Klondike Days, cooking and serving lamb burgers.

Culture and supporting the arts was important to her. She held season tickets for a long time to the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, the Citadel Theatre, Winspear, and the Alberta Ballet, and all her children were exposed to various concerts, ballets, musicals, and plays at a young age. Her house was filled with paintings and art, and closets full of fashionable colourful clothes and shoes. She was always well dressed even while on her daily 45-minute walks.

Independent, strong willed and fearless, her love of travel wasn’t limited to Alberta, and over the many years took her to all corners of the world, from Florida and Sedona, to Peru and Pompeii, to South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope and South America’s Cape Horn. She parasailed along ocean beaches, rode on camels, trekked in the Amazon, and took thousands of photographs of people she met along the way. Mexico was one of her favourite places, and often she’d be found at the local restaurant popping a tequila and chatting with other locals or tourists. She loved meeting new people and often made lifelong friends with them.

Lorraine was always one to lift up a glass of wine to socialize with family and friends. She had an open door to welcome anyone into her home, often sitting on her front deck, waving neighbours over to visit and share a glass or two. Her home was an anchor for large family dinners and neighbourhood socials. Relationships were a high priority in her life. She would often hop in her car and drive across town or across the province, or fly across the country, to stay with children and grandchildren, friends and relatives, with numerous stops along the way to include as many people as possible. She made phone calls every day. Everyone who knew her has shared in her generosity.

Lorraine was predeceased by her husband Cleve, her daughter Leola (Luxford), her parents Andrew and Phyllis Shatz, and her sisters Rosella Burke and Helen Adams. Left to celebrate her memory are her sister Marlene Pittman, children Jennifer, Ramona (Rick), Barbara (Ernie), James (Tamela), and Bruce (Laura), grandchildren Carey, Ryan, Ted, Mary, Hannah, Emily, Elysha, Philip, Darren, Ashley, great-grandchildren Leila, Miles, Kiahna, Marlee, and Valerie, many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family, and countless friends.

She filled her ninety-six years of life with a passion, and to share stories and honour her long life, there will be a Celebration of Life on June 14, 2026 at the Bison Lodge, 9430 Scona Rd NW, Edmonton, AB, at 12:00 noon, followed by a reception.

In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Alberta, or a donation of your choice.