Laverne Cann doesn’t feel old at age 96

At the age of 96, Lavern Cann stays busy crocheting blankets, afghans, tablecloths and lamp shades, many of which she donates to various organizations. Photo by Marlene Cathro

Canyon Lake resident Laverne Cann turned 96 years old earlier this month. She celebrated this milestone with her three children, who took her to dinner on her birthday.

Of her 96 birthday celebrations, Lavern said her 90th birthday was the most memorable. “My children organized an open house party for me,” she recalled.

Laverne was a stay-at-home mom until her children moved out, at which time she was free to travel. Her late husband was a pilot for Continental Air Lines, allowing the couple to travel all over the world. They lived in Texas, Colorado and Oklahoma before settling in Canyon Lake in 1975.

Laverne stays active by playing bridge and golfing two days a week. She also enjoys reading, crossword puzzles and crocheting blankets, afghans, tablecloths and lamp shades. Lavern is self-taught in all these talents. She has donated her afghans to various clubs for raffle prizes and many people have asked her to make blankets for them to present as gifts, which has kept her busy.

Laverne’s latest project is crocheting small blankets for use in the maternity ward at UCLA Medical Center. Darlene Cortez, a Canyon Lake golfing friend of Laverne’s, asked for blankets for her daughter, a night supervising nurse, to use for stillborn babies or those who died at birth. She wraps the newborn in the blankets and covers their head with the tiny cap and takes a photo. She takes hand and footprints and presents them to the parents along with the photo and the blanket and cap made by Laverne. She does her best to comfort the broken hearts of the grieving parents.

Laverne latest project is crocheting small blankets and caps for stillborn babies at UCLA Medical Center. Photo by Marlene Cathro

Lavern also makes lap robes and donates them to the veterans at Loma Linda Veterans Hospital.

Lavern has been a member of the Canyon Lake Woman’s Club since 1975 and served in almost every position on its board. She also participates each year as a model in the club’s annual Fashion Show.

At the age of 61, Lavern learned to play golf at the urging of her husband. “He wanted a golfing partner,” said Laverne. Laverne joined the Canyon Lake Woman’s Golf Club in 1983.

In addition to serving as the club’s president and other various positions on the board, she won the President’s Cup twice and her flight in the Club Championship Tournament six times, earning a diamond for her medallion each time.

Laverne joined the Canyon Lake Lioness Club nine years ago. She is a former member of the Travel Club and Yacht Club.

A friend recently asked Lavern if she feels old. “I don’t know how old is suppose to feel, so maybe I do, maybe I don’t,” she replied.




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