Lorna J. Arrington
Lorna J. Arrington
Lorna J. Arrington was born in Topeka, Kansas at home to Opal and Abel Hayes. She was the eldest of four siblings. She was active in her church and from a young age. She performed with a theater ensemble through her church and continued her theatre work into college. Later, she would use those skills to share brilliant and colorful stories with her children and grandchildren. Lorna attended Washburn University and the University of Buffalo. She pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority Upsilon chapter in 1957 and was an active member upon her passing. Lorna also met and married LEBANON ARRINGTON. (1959). She had three children. Lorna played the organ for Second Baptist church and taught Sunday school. She would routinely donate her earnings back to the church. In 1969, Lorna and her family moved to Buffalo, NY. Lorna served as a den mother for the Cub Scouts, was active with the ‘Alpha Wives’. She helped to found a chapter of Jack and Jill in Buffalo New York. Lorna liked to sew. She made original costumes for her children and would make matching costumes for her daughter’s dolls long before American Girl was founded. Lorna became active with the Buffalo Chapter of the Links, Les Oublieux (the forgetful ones) Bridge club as well as the Jetsetter’s and the Bridgettes bridge clubs. Lorna taught mathematics at the Educational Opportunity Center, SUNY at Buffalo for 41 years retiring as an Associate Professor. Lorna worked tirelessly as a union representative working to obtain numerous benefits, including tenure for her colleagues. She was named as the UUP Member of the year in 2005 and received the Nina Mitchell award in 2011. She retired in 2012 at the age of 74. Lorna was extraordinarily generous. She was giving to family and she donated to dozens of charities and campaigns. In her retirement, she volunteered for various causes including Project Save. She enjoyed local theater, Ujima Theater Co. She moved to California and then to Washington to be near her daughter and grandchildren. Her granddaughter Bryanna served as her primary caregiver during her latter years.
Lorna was preceded in death by her sons, Tony and Keith Arrington, her younger brother, Abel Hayes and Sister in Law Celia Hayes. She is survived by her daughter, Kimberly Arrington-White (Bernardez), her grandchildren: Bryanna Bernardez, Lauren Bernardez, BJ Bernardez and Anthony Arrington Jr., Her Sisters, Melva Watts and Kathryn Williams, Nieces: Susan (Jamie) Alicia, Michelle ( Douglas) Shannon, Sherrill (Nick) and Nephews: Brandon, Jordan (Sebrina), best friend Constance Coles and a host of cousins, colleagues, friends, great nieces and nephews.)