Lorna Jean Gilchrist: What happened to Tommy Chong’s mother?

Lorna Jean Gilchrist is the mother of comic legend Tommy Chong. Lorna Jean Gilchrist’s son is best known as half of the legendary comedy duo Cheech and Chong. The Canadian-American comedian, actor, and musician and his comedy partner made a name for their stereotypical portrayals of hippie-era stoners. The pair found a wide audience through their stand-up routines, comedy albums, and popular films about the hippie, free-love, and (especially) drug culture movement.

Lorna Jean Gilchrist: Bio Summary

Who is Tommy Chong’s mother?

Tommy Chong’s mother, Lorna Jean Gilchrist was born on December 18, 1916, in Moose Jaw, Division No. 7, SK, Canada per Geni. She was the daughter of Samuel Gilchrist and Emma Gilchrist. She was one of the four children of the couple- Her siblings were Samuel John Gilchrist, Jessie Scott Gilchrist Woodridge, and Ellen Evalene Gilchrist. Chong’s mother was a Canadian of Scottish and Irish ancestry.

Per Chong’s Wikipedia, he was born on May 24, 1938, in Edmonton, Alberta the son of Lorna Jean Gilchrist and her husband Stanley Chong. According to sources, Tommy had an older brother, Stan (1936–2018) who also played music. Young Tommy Chong moved from Edmonton, Alberta with his family to Calgary where they settled in a conservative neighborhood he has referred to as “Dog Patch”. His mother was a waitress.

ALSO, READ; Stanley Chong: Who was Tommy Chong’s father?

Gilchrist’s husband  Stanley Chong, a Chinese who immigrated in the 1930s was wounded in World War II their son revealed. “My grandfather was originally hired to work on the railroad during that time. That was the only way the Chinese could migrate to Canada. There was such racism that the Chinese were charged a fee for entering Canada and the fee amounted to the cost of the railroad so not only did they build the railroad they paid for it.“- Tommy revealed.

ALSO, READ; Paris Chong: Inside the Life of Tommy Chong’s son

Describing his parents’ marriage and the circumstances around him growing up the actor said -“They [Stanley Chong and Lorna Jean Gilchrist] got married at a time when they couldn’t walk down certain streets together without racists causing trouble. My father joined the army and fought overseas for Canada in the artillery. I grew up in Calgary outside the building zone in the Lone Pine area, in a small house with no electricity, no plumbing. Water came from a neighbour’s well and we had an outhouse, then in a wartime house at 1490 – 19 Ave. NW. And that’s where I spent my teenage years playing music.“Tommy revealed per Beatroutemedia reports.

ALSO, READ; Precious Chong: Inside the Life is Tommy Chong’s daughter

What happened to Tommy Chong’s mother

Tommy Chong’s mother Lorna Jean Gilchrist passed away on 18 July 1982 in Nanaimo Regional District, British Columbia, Canada. She was 65 years old at the time of her death. The cause of her death was not made public by the comedian.

ALSO, READ; Maxine Sneed: Who was Tommy Chong’s first wife?

Today, Tommy Chong has been married twice. His first marriage was to Maxine Sneed in Canada and they raised two children–  Rae Dawn Chong(b. 1961) and Robbi Chong. His second marriage was to Shelby Fiddis in Los Angeles. The couple had three children, sons Paris Chong (b. 1974) and Gilbran Chong (b. 1981) and daughter Precious Chong (b. 1968). In 1978, the couple adopted Marcus Wyatt Chong.