Lorna Ann Shoemaker

Lorna Shoemaker died unexpectedly at home in St. Paul, MN, on Tuesday, Feb. 18. She was born in El Cerrito, CA to Dorothea (née Drew) and Paul Shoemaker. After graduating from the University of California at Davis with a dual major in English and Philosophy, she earned an M.Div. from San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo, CA. The first woman to receive the "Seminary Fellowship Award," she undertook non-degree post-graduate studies at Eberhardt-Karls University in Tübingen, Germany and the Ecumenical Institute of the World Council of Churches in Bossey, Switzerland. Lorna was among the first wave of women ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. She served as associate pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Eureka, CA, then as an Associate for Women's Leadership Development for Presbyterian Women and the Women's Ministry Unit of the PCUSA. It was during this time that she met her beloved partner of 32 years, Holly Hearon. In 1991, they were joined together in Holy Union at Redwoods Presbyterian Church. Lorna undertook graduate studies at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA where she received the "Outstanding Dissertation Proposal Award." Her area of focus was medieval Church history. Following doctoral studies, she became Director of the Library and assistant professor of Global History of Christianity at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, IN. She was a dedicated member of the faculty and held in high regard by her students. In 2014, Lorna and Holly relocated to St. Paul, MN, where Lorna enjoyed working in retirement at the Explore Store of the Science Museum of Minnesota. Lorna lived a life of service. She cultivated the practices of welcoming strangers, interest in others, performing acts of kindness, and tackling with equanimity any problem that came to hand. She was treasured for her droll personality, humor, and wit, and held in awe for her amazing expanse of knowledge. Lorna read voraciously, loved to travel and spend time in nature, enjoyed music and theater, made a terrific scone, and took delight in cross-species communication. She was never happier than when reading a book in the company of felines. Lorna is survived by her partner, Holly Hearon; sister-out-law, Leigh Hearon (Alan Iglitzin); brother, DC Shoemaker; and chosen family Jan, Ron, and Mark Turner and Jill Turner Wright. Memorials preferred to Point Lobos Foundation, the Conservation Ecology Centre (Cape Otway, Australia), Natural Resources Defense Council, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, International Rescue Committee, Second Harvest Heartland, or charity of your choice. A Celebration of Life will be held at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis on March 13th at 2 p.m. A second celebration will be held at a later date in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Tributes

Lorna Ann Shoemaker

May 17, 1948 - February 18, 2020

Tributes

Lorna Ann Shoemaker

May 17, 1948 - February 18, 2020

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