Lorna Helen Bisset, the second daughter and third child of Mary and Athelstan Bisset, was born in Edmonton in 1930. She graduated from University High School having received the Governor-General’s Gold Medal, the Home and School Association Scholarship, and the Robert Tegler Scholarship. She then continued her education at the University of Alberta, where she received a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1951.

After graduation, Lorna worked for Canadian Industries Limited in the accounts department in the company’s Montreal office. While in Montreal, Lorna attended night courses at McGill University where she met her future husband, Alexander Blair McPherson.

Blair and Lorna married on August 8, 1953 and subsequently moved to Bellevue, Alberta where Blair served as minister to several United Churches in the Crowsnest Pass. In 1955, the McPherson family moved to Ottawa where Blair worked as minister for Carleton Memorial United Church for six years.

In 1961, the McPhersons returned to Alberta when Blair secured a position as minister of Kirk United Church in Edmonton.

Blair and Lorna McPherson had four children: Alexander James (1954-), Donald Blair (1955-), Robert John (1958-), and Cheryl Anne (1964-).