Obituary of Lorna Jean McCalla
Lorna Jean McCalla, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away on Friday, September 13, 2024, at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey. Born on August 22, 1954, in Kingston, Jamaica, Lorna spent her early years working for the Jamaica Telephone Company before moving to the United States in 1979. She initially settled in the Bronx, New York, but soon found her home in East Orange and later Bloomfield, New Jersey, where she devotedly raised her son. Approximately ten years ago, she moved to Plainfield, New Jersey, where she continued to embrace and enrich her community.
Lorna’s professional journey was marked by a deep commitment to service. She began her career as an executive assistant at the Board of Public Utilities in Newark, New Jersey, a position she held until 1996. That same year, after graduating from the Mountainside School of Nursing in Montclair, she transitioned to a fulfilling career in healthcare. As a registered nurse at Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, New Jersey, Lorna dedicated herself to the well-being of her patients, earning respect and admiration for her diligence and compassion.
Beyond her professional life, Lorna was an active and dedicated member of the Unity Church of Montclair, where she volunteered her time and talents. She also participated in the Rosicrucian Order until the early 2000s, where she forged lasting friendships that brought joy and support throughout her life. Lorna loved gardening and jewelry making, and she was keenly politically minded, often engaging in spirited discussions about the politics of the day with family and friends.
Lorna’s greatest joy was her family. She was a devoted grandmother to her granddaughter Ava, and a loving mother to her son, Brian Richardson, and his wife, Takiya Mason-Richardson. She is also survived by her nieces, Laura and Tanya; nephew, George; sisters, Elaine, Rosemarie, and Verona; and great-nieces, Maya and Olivia.
Visitation will be held at Higgins Home for Funerals on Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, followed by a funeral service commencing at 6:00 PM at the funeral home. Cremation services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Lorna’s loving memory to the American Cancer Society.
Lorna will be deeply missed by all who knew her, but her legacy of kindness, dedication, and spirited conversation will live on in the hearts of those she touched.
