I called her Aunt Lorna, following in what my cousins called her. Good enough for me, as she seemed like my Aunt. Sister-in-law to my Aunt Dian Marcella (Erickson) Boutrous and of course younger sister to my Uncle Floyd Nick Boutrous, Lorna had a smile you could not forget.

Lorna was a doll, talented and intriguing. She had lived quite the artistic life already before I was born. She continued her unique style throughout her life. Lorna was a Jazz piano player and singer and was born in Bismarck on September 16th, 1928. She played shows around the north states and in Europe.

I was fortunate to spend some time with her while she was living and working at Hotel Beau-Rivage on Lake Geneva in Switzerland (photo below). The hotel on Quai du Mont-Blanc right on Lake Geneva was ideal for her.

A piano bar near the lobby where Lorna regularly entertained a varied group of locals, tourists and celebrities. One story I so enjoyed hearing was when the actor, Sean Connery would occasionally come by with his wife and lean on the piano with a drink in hand, enjoying Lorna play and sing some of his requests.

We took in a few of her sets and like Sean, we had a great time. We stayed at the hotel and Lorna was the perfect host in her suite on the top floor of the Beau-Rivage one evening when she invited some artists friends over for drinks to meet us. An excellent stay at the hotel and one I will never forget.

Lorna eventually moved back to her home in Minneapolis and played local shows and enjoyed life till the end. Lorna passed away in Minneapolis / St. Paul, Minnesota on July 20th, 2013.