Lori Jorgensen passed away peacefully at home, with her children by her side, on April 29, 2025, after a 2-1/2 year battle with cancer.
Lori was born and baptized as Maria Papadopoulou in Athens, Greece on January 29th, 1954. At fifteen-months old, she was adopted by Harry and Ruth Glick, grew up in Olympus Cove, and attended Skyline High School. For a period of time, Lori moved to Colorado and lived an adventurous life filled with fishing and motorcycle touring. When she returned to Utah, Lori married and started a family, prioritizing loving and raising her two children above all else.
The roles she held throughout her work career were numerous, though her favorite opportunities centered around antiques, both sale and appraisal. In addition to antiquing, her hobbies included cooking, reading, cross-stitching, and history. Lori was a life-long student and found meaning and purpose in learning more about those around her, or discovering some long-forgotten family story while doing her genealogy.
Lori’s desire to learn more about her own history, and most importantly meet her birth-mother, culminated in reuniting with her biological family with the help of Gonda Van Steen in 2021. During this once-in-a-lifetime trip to Athens, Lori returned to visit the orphanage she stayed in for those fifteen months, walked the ancient Plaka with her mother and siblings, and visited the Parthenon with her children. Lori shared her amazing story of adoption and reunification in the years that followed through interviews and magazine publications. Lori became involved in the Greek adoptee community, and made many close friends.
Lori was a friend to all and accepted you as you were. She had deep personal strength and humility, was an example of resilience, and was forever optimistic. Throughout life’s challenges, Lori reminded her children that life is beautiful and worth living no matter the circumstance. Lori lived life on her own terms, was always true to herself, and never compromised her integrity. In addition to her biological family, she had a chosen family that she held very close. Lori was a mother to many who required shelter from the storm.
Lori is survived by her children Madson (Kristinna) and Alexis (Chad), “Mother Mary”, sisters Anne (Evan), Lesli, Lisa, Kris (Tom), Melinda, Theresa, brothers Steven (Quisha), Kenneth, and Sakis (Maria). Lori has many nieces and nephews who adored her.
A celebration of life for Lori will be held on Thursday, May 8, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. She will be laid to rest at Mount Olivet Cemetery.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the following:
Gonda Van Steen
Dr. Gregg
Dr. Lee
Dr. McKean
Solstice Home Health & Hospice
