Woman killed by bear on the job had busy life, was avid photographer: family

FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. – The family of a woman killed by a bear on the job at an Alberta oilsands site says instead of focusing on her death, they want to share details about her life and spirit.

Lorna Weafer, who was 36, was attacked by a black bear on Wednesday while working at Suncor’s base camp north of Fort McMurray.

Others on the jobsite tried to scare off the bear, to no avail.

In a statement released Friday, the family said Weafer was born in Ireland and immigrated to Canada with her family as a child and moved to Fort McMurray in 1981.

The statement says she had been working with Suncor as an instrumentation technician since October and was well-liked and had many friends at the company.

They added she was an avid photographer and very artistic.

The family also thanked the co-workers who tried to help Weafer, saying they know they are grieving as well.

“Lorna’s warmth and compassion knew no bounds. She had a busy full life, loved her family and her dog. She absolutely adored children and had volunteered as a Big Sister.

“She had been talking about going back to study and become a psychologist because she loved helping people — she’d have helped anyone. And she often did.”

The family says Weafer lost her beloved dog two weeks ago.

“Abby had been her pal for 15 years.”

The family asked for privacy while they grieve.