Lorna Wayland

Lorna E. Wayland, 79, of Bristol, R.I. and Wellington, Fla., passed away on February 19, 2024, at home after a short illness, which she fought with great strength. She was the wife of William F. Wayland.

Born in Worcester, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Roland and Roxie Erickson. In addition to her beloved husband Bill, she is survived by her children: Christopher Long of Newport, R.I., Jessica (Michael) Rodehorst of Hingham, Mass. and stepchildren Michael (Jenny) Wayland of Fayetteville, N.C., Pamela (Thomas) Ryan of Mansfield, Mass. and Catherine (John Hoffman) Wayland of Coral Gables, Fla., as well as her 10 grandchildren.

A woman ahead of her time, Lorna Wayland built a trailblazing career as a business executive, which included many firsts. As a highly regarded human resources and operations professional for Paul Revere Insurance and later its parent company Avco, Lorna rose to the position of Executive Director of Human Resources. When Textron acquired Avco, she joined their corporate offices as Vice President of Human Resource Development and Administration for 30 operating divisions. As her career progressed, Lorna became the first female Senior Vice President at Wang Laboratories, and the first female Executive Vice President at Citizens Financial Group. She was also the first woman to chair the board of directors of Rhode Island Hospital.

Dedicated to the community, she also served as a member of the Rhode Island Commodores, the President’s Council at Providence College, and of the board of directors of the Human Resource Planning Society.

Lorna was a graduate of the Bancroft School in Worcester, Mass., and received a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences from Mount Holyoke College.

She was a kind, selfless, and inspiring woman, who lit up every room she entered. Devoted to her family and friends, Lorna found joy by helping others and will be missed by all those whom she touched in her life.

Friends and family are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, February 23rd, 10 A.M. at St. Mary’s Church, 330 Wood Street, Bristol RI 02809. Burial will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to the Lifespan Cancer Institute: https://giving.lifespan.org/LCI

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