Lorna Meigan Chan born in Georgetown, Guyana on January 3, 1935, passed away in her sleep on June 14th, 2022, at eighty-seven years old. Lorna’s mother was Nellie Helens Young (1908 – 1935) and her father, Jabez Cromwell (1889 -1944).
Lorna Meigan Margaret Cromwell Chan (Meigan) attended Bishop’s High School, a prestigious girls’ school in Georgetown. After graduation and successfully passing eight General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level (A-Level) subjects; Meigan and her sister Olive (deceased) migrated to New York to live with Nellie’s sister, Patricia Young Baird Croney (Aunt Pat). Soon after moving to the States, Meigan married her first Love, Willmott Chan also from Georgetown.
Meigan’s God-gifted ability to remember details, her smile, and her joyful personality opened doors for her. Meigan’s careers included the Guyana Graphic Newspaper (Georgetown), Chase Manhattan Bank (NY, NY) McDonald’s Corporation (Maryland), US Environmental Protection Agency (DC), and the District of Columbia Government (DC). Meigan worked in various District Government positions, including Administrative Assistant (AA) to the City Administrator and AA to the District of Columbia City Council. One Lifeline Sister said: “By retirement from her career, it was not a matter of who she knew, but a matter of who knew Meigan, including the ” Mayor for Life” The Honorable Marion Barry.
Meigan formed strategic relationships to facilitate her Mission to serve underprivileged communities, regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity. In her humanitarianism, she shared every resource available, including job preparation and training, scholarships, new opportunities, and Hope. As a co-founder and member of Guyanese Assisting In Development (GUYAID) from 1981 to 2008, she participated in biennial, altruistic missions to Guyana. Strong relationships with Government officials enabled GUYAID to adopt a school, donate as needed, and feed and clothe thousands of those in need. Meigan was also a founding member of the Guyanese Berbice Association (GBA), started in 1984.
Passionate about St Timothy’s Episcopal Church (St. Tim’s.), she was committed to “Project Success” for her church and for the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) organization. Lorna served ECW on the Diocesan (Local), Provincial, and National levels. She planned with help from her Board members, for the Episcopal Cathedral’s Flower Mart, often single-handedly canvassing churches, businesses, and individuals, to donate baked goods, resulting in raising thousands of charitable dollars annually.
A life member of the “Daughters of the King”, Meigan believed in, lived completely, and gave fully of herself as the King of Kings asks His followers to do. A holy princess with strengths and abilities to be used in His kingdom, Meigan lived life as a cherished member of God’s royal family. She demonstrated the fullness of God’s love in her giving of provisions, and proudly wore her Daughters of the King “Cross” pin (brooch).
Meigan was an active 15-year volunteer and leader at Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington (SMGW). She served as a first responder in SMGW’s Southeast/Anacostia office, from 1997 to 2019. Additionally, Meigan gave her leadership gifts to the Board of Directors from 2012 – 2017. SMGW honored Meigan in 2017 with the “Compassionate Samaritan Award” and with the “Change Agent Award” in 2019.
Meigan is survived by her five children Paul (Charlotte), Hazel (Ronald Jones), Deborah, Andree, and Alicia. Twelve grandchildren: Antonia, Nia, Bruce, Kierra, Shantal, Andre, Gabriel, Geiselle, Karl, Nicholas, Brian, and Byron. Thirteen great-grandchildren: Isaac, Anthony, Maeleen, Zacorey, Kainan, Nyjah, Quinton, Kiana, Shaydin, Kaiden, Anaelle, twins Ty’re & Tahzh, and one great-great-granddaughter, Juniper.
Meigan is also survived by niece Andrea and nephew Deryck; Aunt Pat’s daughters Diana and Marcia, their children Albouri, Mame and Dieynaba; First cousins Maurice and Bobby Young, Gregory Young, Janet, Barbara and Cynthia Young; Miranda (Young) Chadwick, and Carla (Young) Moniz; Treasured cousins Irma, Hazelien, and Evelyn (the Timothy family); Actress C.C.H.Pounder; Shindy and Trevor Pounder; and former husband Willmott Chan. Meigan poured herself into the lives of hundreds of Love Children including Yonette Adams; Bruce, Lesley, Roger, Mark, and Bryan Orford; Yvonne Chan’s Donna, Lana, Karen and Lloyd. She is missed by Family and friends across the Globe, especially from Guyana, Barbados, Trinidad, Bermuda, Canada, and England. We pray that anyone who has been inadvertently omitted from the beloved family members and friends listed here understands that it does not diminish who they were to Mom in life.
Meigan is survived by her Lifeline Sisters who were her physical and spiritual helpmates in health, illness, and through death.
The Vastness of Meigan’s DASH (1935 to 2022) continues to emerge and to be revealed to her family and friends.
In Faith, we believe, that Meigan now resides in God’s Eternal Grace.
