Image

Remembering Lori with a ride in Wyoming Sunday

August 21, 2021

It is a tribute as vibrant as the woman herself.

An image of Lori Neville, the Wyoming woman who died while cycling a year ago, visually jumps off the side of The Village Fireplace Shoppe in Wyoming where she worked.

She stands, holding her yellow bike over her head, upside down, says Tina Neville, her mother in law, because she never finished her ride. On her leg, her birthday and the day she died, August 20.

Lori had been part of the Great Cycle Challenge Canada to raise money for research into childhood cancers. She had been cycling around Lambton County and had clocked 299 of her 500 km ride. And her fundraising total was nearing $1,000. That Saturday morning, on her way down Petrolia Line to go into Corunna, she was struck and killed.

Lori left behind her wife, Natalie and her son, Oliver.

The story moved people in the cycling community and by the time the challenge was over, more than 400 people from all 10 provinces and one territory finished Lori’s ride for her. In all, $11,267 was raised on Lori’s Challenge Page.

A year has passed and Tina says the adults, including Natalie, are doing their best to continue on. That’s hard to do since the criminal case against the driver who struck Lori is still ongoing.

And people are trying to keep the memories alive says Tina, particularly for Oliver. “He misses his mommy. But you just try to keep everything alive for him,” she says. “He’s gonna miss a lot with her.

“I think that’s the worst part of it. All the adults can keep trying to struggle and move forward. But a little boy says he misses his mommy – that’s hard.”

Sunday, there will be a memorial ride for Lori. It’s not necessarily a fundraiser but donations will be accepted for the Great Cycle Challenge. Riders will gather at the Lambton County building at 3 pm and travel down the municipal walkway to Reece’s Corners.

Lori’s family will be thinking of the young woman who had so much to give. “She was a very special girl,” said Tina, stopping to compose herself. “She always had a smile on her face. She always was happy.”

Tina thinks Lori would have liked the cycler on the side of the building she worked in.

“For us, it’s a way of remembering her. It’s a good, good thing. She loved to do design. So it turned out really well.”

Share This

Image
Front Page

Sarnia police say it’s never too late to report sexual assault

September 24, 2026

The Independent Sarnia Police are pointing to the conviction of a former Sarnia Observer sports reporter to remind victims of sexual assault it is never too late to call police. Sept. 18, Miller, who now lives in Penticton, BC, was found guilty of four counts of sexual interference and one count of invitation to sexual touching. The convictions stem from

Read More

Image
Front Page

Mural of ‘iconic Sarnia images’ on Indian Road complete

September 24, 2026

The Independent Drivers taking Indian or Plank Roads in Sarnia have something new to see – a giant mural of what Imperial Oil officials call some of the most iconic images of Sarnia-Lambton. Local artist Kennady Osborne of Seventh Rayn Design. Co created the work first on canvas. Then, the art work was transformed into a 95-foot by 30-foot mural,

Read More

Image
Front Page

Young people urged to stay involved in municipal politics

September 24, 2026

Cathy Dobson/The Independent Getting good jobs for youth and ensuring they can afford to buy a house are top priorities for numerous Sarnia council candidates hoping to be elected Oct. 26. “I’m new and I don’t have all the answers, but my fear is that I’ll have to die in order for my children to own a house and I

Read More

Image
Front Page

Dennis leaves all-candidates forum before it begins

September 23, 2026

Cathy Dobson/The Independent An abrupt departure by Bill Dennis at a youth-led all-candidates forum Wednesday means the five Sarnia mayoral candidates have not yet faced off during this municipal election campaign. Numerous people witnessed a verbal altercation between Dennis and a youth prior to the event held at the Lambton College events centre.   He left shortly after, according to Michelle

Read More