Lorna M. Paradise

Lorna May Paradise (née Sparr), aged 90, passed away on June 20, 2024, in Denver, Colorado. Born on April 13, 1934, in Lawton, Iowa to Julius and Georgian Sparr, she was the third of four children. Lorna's journey through life was marked by a profound dedication to her family and community.

In May of 1952 Lorna graduated from Lawton High School, where she was a cheerleader and basketball player. Soon after, she met the great love of her life Airman Vaughn Paradise, who was stationed in Sioux City at the time. They married on October 23rd of the same year. Lorna went on to embrace the role of homemaker, raising seven children alongside her loving husband. Her commitment to her family's spiritual and moral upbringing was evident in her insistence on church attendance every Sunday. Beyond her home, Lorna contributed to her community as a Head Start teacher in the 1970s and 80s, where she nurtured the growth and development of preschoolers with patience and care. In her spare time, she loved growing a flower garden in her backyard, and red roses were her favorite. She was also a longtime Denver Nuggets basketball fan, and she joyfully attended many of her grandchildren's high school basketball games. In later years, she enjoyed receiving visits from her children and her grandchildren. She and Vaughn were together for 72 years.

She leaves behind a loving family: her husband Vaughn; children James Paradise (Patricia), Vonda Ulander (John), Blaine Paradise (Teresa), Joe Paradise (Nancy), Douglas Paradise (Karen), Matthew Paradise (Dana), and Ladea Dante (Vito); twenty grandchildren and twenty-five great-grandchildren. Lorna was preceded in death by her parents and siblings.


Lorna's life was a testament to the values of dedication, love, and service to others. Her legacy will live on in the lives of those she touched.




Lorna's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click Here to view the service.