Lorna Evelyn Prim Richards
April 5, 1935 - July 16, 2005
Obituary
Lorna Evelyn Prim Richards
1935-2005
Beloved sister, mother, aunt, grandmother and friend: survived by brothers Kenneth retired, San Jose and Merle Prim a Professor at Western Washington University, Bellingham; daughter Tamara Richards Brewington New York City and son Allen Richards Lacey; granddaughters Caitlin, Hannah and Emma Richards; grandson Quinn Brewington; and numerous friends in Seattle, Boston and nearby areas.
Born the third child of Carrie and John Prim the first African-American assistant prosecutor and Judge Pro Tem in Washington State, Lorna discovered modern dance while attending Garfield High School in Seattle. She performed with Martha Nishitani’s “Eleanor King Dance Troupe” and graduated from the University of Washington. After beginning a family with Lowell Richards journalist and jazz performer, she joined the staff of Garfield’s first Magnet Program as a dance teacher. She then helped found Black Arts/West as its dance director, teaching disadvantaged children, some of whom made it to Broadway. In 1970 she moved to New York City where she gained a Master’s Degree in Theater Management from Queen’s College. After moving back to Seattle in 1976, she earned a Fellowship at the University of Washington.
Lorna served with the Seattle Arts Commission and joined the Christian Science Church. She moved to Boston to support the Mother Church’s international publications, which include the Christian Science Monitor. She assisted tens of thousands of people as a correspondent before moving back to Seattle, where she briefly managed Seattle’s Christian Science Reading Room.
Lorna loved to cook for and with friends and family. Her beautiful, infectious smile lit up rooms and her ready laugh uplifted the many social gatherings she attended. A patron of the arts, friend of mankind and daughter of God, Lorna will be remembered by many.
Memorial Service, 1:00PM, Saturday, July 30, 2005 at Bonney-Watson Chapel, 1732 Broadway, Seattle. Remembrances suggested to Nu Black Arts West, P.O. Box 22052, Seattle, WA 98122 or Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98144.
We are truly sorry for your loss. Mothers are so very extra special and we know she will really be missed. We will remember sitting in the airport and visiting with her, along with other times of being around her. She was lots of fun and was very amusing. Treasure all your memories. Lots of love and prayers.
I had the very great pleasure of working with Lorna at the University of Washington School of Medicine in the ’60’s and having dinner with Lorna and Lowell at home in Montlake….unfortunately, i lost track of them….Lorna had a huge and wonderful personality and I wonder whatever happened to Lowell…
Dear Lorna,
I have always loved you
and always will. You brought so much happiness and sunshine into my life and I
can never repay you for
that. And if there is an afterlife-in whatever form-I
hope we shall meet again someday. Thank you for being
one of the shining lights in my life.
Love/Doug
Sincere condolences to Lorna’s children, grandchildren, Kenneth and Merle.
You will be missed, my friend..Anne G. Hauberg
We will miss Lorna’s gift to love unconditionally and be loved in return. She, of the gorgeous smile and infectious laugh. Sleep well, my friend and sister-in-law.
I am so sorry for you lose.
My prayers r with your guys
Love ya –Mary Benton
Dear Family and Friends of Lorna,
How I wish that I might have written this note to Lorna herself. I am truly a voice from her past. We were classmates at I.I.Stevens Elemtary School on 19th Avenue. Lorna was energetic, bright, funny, and attractive to all of us, and she was a good friend. Her accomplishments as published in her obituary were indeed impressive. She must haved been an inspiration to you all. May God bless you as you grieve and may Lorna rest safely in his hands for eternity!
With warmest regards, Beverly Bursett Suhrbier.
Lorna, my sister, Carrie and I took dance lessons together as we entered puberty. We looked for her at the Garfield reunions, alas, no contact. We know we would have taken up just where we left off. She in dance, me in music. What a stellar person thanks to her parents for forming such a jewel. God’s speed, Lorna
A treasure who accomplished more than any of us realize.
Filled with love, compassion, humility; she blesses a world … with books to Africa … and ecouragement to those new to Christian Science who came to the Reading Room.
With a special love for Mrs. Eddy’s world blessing book – Science & Health, Lorna is a true friend to many whom she embraced, including her teacher, Mr. David C. Driver. CSB who loved her dearly.
Lorna’s true empathy for others – her sincere desire to meet their needs in a practical way – serves us as an example and will continue to bless.
With abundant love,
Verta Driver
My love to Lorna’s dear family. She spoke to me often of her love for her grandchildren and her son and daughter. She was pure grace and so kind. She sang to a small group of us at a good-bye party for her when she moved last year from Boston. We were given such a treat. I will love her always and carry her in my heart. She was a loyal friend and constantly cared for others. Much, much love to her children.
My deepest prayers and thoughts to the entire family.
I have loved and idolized Mrs. Richards all my life. Her gorgeous smile and laughter filled up what would have been empty spaces in my soul. I just found out about her passing tonight, July 29th, and feel so crushed. But I also feel incredibly grateful to have known her, and to have have recieved the lasting gifts of inspiration she gave me. I always thought she was the most beautiful and graceful woman I had ever known. She was responsible for my early introduction to the theatre and the arts, now a profession and lifelong passion and love of mine. I can hardly express the great loss I feel, and my heart goes out to Tamara and Allen, and everyone in her family. I share in your loss
With much love, Rachel Krahl Smith
Besides Mrs. Richards smile and warm personality, I remember her hands…..she had beautiful long fingers…perhaps I wished I’d had them when I was practicing my piano lessons. I remember going to her house and taking dance “lessons” for young children. We would sit in a circle on the dining room floor and pretend we were squashing oranges underneath our knees most probably to assist in getting our legs to straighten out!
I also remember one Christmas when Tamara, Allen and she decorated their tree with gumdrops tied up in tulle – wow – jackpot!!! She was so innovative. She added so much to my childhood memories and I will always remember her for that. To her family, know that she was loved by many and added so much to our lives. Betsy