Last week I received a note from Cheryl Patterson, Lorraine's wife, that Lorraine was so sick. Today I learned that she passed away on September 19, 2024.
It is such a hard thing to post these obituaries on here but with just a week and a half until the reunion, this one hits home even harder.
Lorraine and Cheryl came to our last reunion and it was fabulous seeing them. I never saw Lorraine happier and both Ron and I were thrilled to spend some time with them.
Rest in Peace Lorraine. We will miss you. Our deepest condolences to Cheryl and their family. 🙏🏻💕🙏🏻💕🙏🏻 Betsy
OMG I WAS SHOCKED when i saw this - thank you Betsy for letting us know. Lorraine , myself, jeff brown and rozie albanese were the orginial Oakwood Drive Gang, long before Frost lane was even developed. So many memories are flooding back - Lorraine was my best friend for 10 years growing up - her parents were fantastic and great to me = her mom was a GREAT baker and gardner............Stan - her dad made an ice skating rink in their backyard for all of us to use. I was included in most of their boat trips on the river and they along with Lorraine taught me how to water ski. We kept in touch on and off over the years.........god - sleigh riding, building forts, racing our bikes up and down Oakwood drive - omg--sharing our love for Animals ...and I am happy she got to travel like she did - we shared a love for animals like no other...........RIP my friend - you will be missed............Pam Foster.
Hi Pam, What wonderful memories you have. Thanks for sharing them. Please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of such a wonderful friend. May You always carry her in your heart. 🙏🏻💕🙏🏻
I am so saddened to hear this news. Lorraine was such a talented leader for our class: smart, musical, funny, and kind. I really feel the loss and send condolences to her loved ones
I am truly stunned by Lorraine's passing. I have vivid memories of her parents, her house, and playing together so many times after school. We first met as kindergarteners at Hillcrest Elementary. We were photographed together in our Halloween costumes, which ended up in the Peekskill Evening Star. We were close friends, especially through elementary school. Our parents became close friends for the rest of their lives. We reconnected at the last reunion. I shall miss her dearly, but will hold those beautiful, innocent memories close to my heart. Rest in peace my friend....
I, too, grew up on Oakwood Drive and have fond memories of her and the fun we all had on her backyard ice skating rink and so many other childhood adventures. My deepest condolences to her wife, her family, and friends.
I just wanted to express my condolences, I might not be a true member of Peekskill High Schoool, but at the end I did garduate from Peekskill High School .. The 1960s was not easy for many of us, but I did attend Uriah Hill Elementary, and eventually went to Drum Hill. My true class is 1968, but I stayed back a year when I got sick when I was at Drum Hill. I remember many classmates from both classes 1968, the ones I knew since childhood, and the 1969 Class that I was fortunate enough to graduate with. My family had a home in Highland Park, so when I saw this latest in memory I had to respond. I was always quite shy, but I remember Lorraine, she was one of the "smart ones," She was always surrounded with other classmates, but I was one of her admirers from afar. High school and growing up is like that, you get to be around others of your same age who are developing . I always felt I was trying to catch up with many in my class, but I knew that they were more self aware. I sincerely want to thank everyone who keep this website updated, and know that even here in Chattanooga, Tennessee there are alumnus that stop in once in awhile to catch up on the latest news. Again Lorraine might not of remembered me, but I was one that admired her from afar, I was truly to shy to really get to know her, but I do remember her. My absolute best wishes to her family, she was a very special person.
I've been thinking about Lorraine a lot since the news of her passing.
It seems very strange to write these words now, but I was her "boyfriend" for much of high school. As high school couples do, we spent so much time together. Almost every day after school, we would walk across Peekskill to her home and hang out. One thing that I have tried to take from my time with her was her ability to look at anyone and everyone as a friend or a friend she hadn't met yet. A large part of our relationship was her friendship with so many others. As an immature high school kid, I was sometimes bewildered by her open attitude towards everyone, but in the years since, I have taken this from our relationship and have tried to see every new person in my life as someone to whom I could relate.
Her friendships with Donna DeChristopher and Peggy Valente and the singing that they did as a trio meant so much to her. And her openness to all of our classmates was another part of her that I’ve kept with me. I truly cannot recall a single negative thing that she ever said about anyone.
I also learned about losing someone close, being part of her life when her father died, a life experience that affected her so greatly. She adored her father and missed him so terribly.
Although we tried to continue our relationship when we both left for college, as often happens, we drifted apart as we became adults and discovered who we were. In some ways, I think this was the most important thing I learned from Lorraine-- finding out who you are and embracing the elements of your being that make you a total person. It was such a different time then, compared to today. So much of her path of discovery was internal and kept private. I remember so well when she finally wrote me and told me that she had realized that she was gay, as we call it today. But back then, it was a very different, murky, difficult thing to come to grips with. She agonized over writing that letter, and wrote pages to try to explain. Her biggest concern was that it would cause me to withdraw from our friendship. It didn’t, but as often happens, time did that on its own.
Although we spoke very little over these intervening years, I thought of her often and was happy that she found a life of happiness and contentment. Her journey helped me raise a gay son, and to be much more accepting of the differences among us. I am a firm believer that if someone still remembers you, then you are not really gone, and I know that Lorraine lives on in my mind and the minds of my children. Hers was truly a life well lived.
Dearest Lorraine – we met in fourth grade when my family moved to Ridgewood Drive and I moved from Woodside to Hillcrest. Some of the smartest kids in our class were at Hillcrest – it was a new challenge, even in the fourth grade. Already a wunderkind, Lorraine excelled at everything – school, sports, piano. My new neighbor was competitive, but also welcoming, and soon we were friends. I was no athlete - Lorraine called me a gazelle. I remember the winters. We had some huge snowstorms at that time, cars didn’t get around so easily, and roads weren’t plowed so quickly. Living up the long Frost Lane hill, there were snow days and lots of time for sledding. Beginning in grade school, we went caroling in the neighborhood. Our harmonies were good! Little angels. Later on, guitars and folk music helped get us through high school. We lost touch for a long while, but a few years ago I made an effort to reconnect with friends from the past, and was fortunate to spend some time with her once again. And we did sing a Christmas carol at the Red Lion Inn. Joy is what Lorraine brought to this world!
I’ve closed many doors and spent more time looking forward than back, but thinking now of Lorraine, I remember the best of those years when we were trying to figure out who we might be. And it’s beautiful to read the memories from other old friends. Bravo Lorraine!
Betsy Finch (Rodino)
Last week I received a note from Cheryl Patterson, Lorraine's wife, that Lorraine was so sick. Today I learned that she passed away on September 19, 2024.
It is such a hard thing to post these obituaries on here but with just a week and a half until the reunion, this one hits home even harder.
Lorraine and Cheryl came to our last reunion and it was fabulous seeing them. I never saw Lorraine happier and both Ron and I were thrilled to spend some time with them.
Rest in Peace Lorraine. We will miss you. Our deepest condolences to Cheryl and their family. 🙏🏻💕🙏🏻💕🙏🏻 Betsy
Pamela Foster (Argast)
OMG I WAS SHOCKED when i saw this - thank you Betsy for letting us know. Lorraine , myself, jeff brown and rozie albanese were the orginial Oakwood Drive Gang, long before Frost lane was even developed. So many memories are flooding back - Lorraine was my best friend for 10 years growing up - her parents were fantastic and great to me = her mom was a GREAT baker and gardner............Stan - her dad made an ice skating rink in their backyard for all of us to use. I was included in most of their boat trips on the river and they along with Lorraine taught me how to water ski. We kept in touch on and off over the years.........god - sleigh riding, building forts, racing our bikes up and down Oakwood drive - omg--sharing our love for Animals ...and I am happy she got to travel like she did - we shared a love for animals like no other...........RIP my friend - you will be missed............Pam Foster.
Betsy Finch (Rodino)
Hi Pam, What wonderful memories you have. Thanks for sharing them. Please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of such a wonderful friend. May You always carry her in your heart. 🙏🏻💕🙏🏻
Diana Garcia
I am so saddened to hear this news. Lorraine was such a talented leader for our class: smart, musical, funny, and kind. I really feel the loss and send condolences to her loved ones
Alan Kuritzky (Kuritzky)
I am truly stunned by Lorraine's passing. I have vivid memories of her parents, her house, and playing together so many times after school. We first met as kindergarteners at Hillcrest Elementary. We were photographed together in our Halloween costumes, which ended up in the Peekskill Evening Star. We were close friends, especially through elementary school. Our parents became close friends for the rest of their lives. We reconnected at the last reunion. I shall miss her dearly, but will hold those beautiful, innocent memories close to my heart. Rest in peace my friend....
Rayola Dougher
I, too, grew up on Oakwood Drive and have fond memories of her and the fun we all had on her backyard ice skating rink and so many other childhood adventures. My deepest condolences to her wife, her family, and friends.
James Harrington
I just wanted to express my condolences, I might not be a true member of Peekskill High Schoool, but at the end I did garduate from Peekskill High School .. The 1960s was not easy for many of us, but I did attend Uriah Hill Elementary, and eventually went to Drum Hill. My true class is 1968, but I stayed back a year when I got sick when I was at Drum Hill. I remember many classmates from both classes 1968, the ones I knew since childhood, and the 1969 Class that I was fortunate enough to graduate with. My family had a home in Highland Park, so when I saw this latest in memory I had to respond. I was always quite shy, but I remember Lorraine, she was one of the "smart ones," She was always surrounded with other classmates, but I was one of her admirers from afar. High school and growing up is like that, you get to be around others of your same age who are developing . I always felt I was trying to catch up with many in my class, but I knew that they were more self aware. I sincerely want to thank everyone who keep this website updated, and know that even here in Chattanooga, Tennessee there are alumnus that stop in once in awhile to catch up on the latest news. Again Lorraine might not of remembered me, but I was one that admired her from afar, I was truly to shy to really get to know her, but I do remember her. My absolute best wishes to her family, she was a very special person.
Gary Green
I've been thinking about Lorraine a lot since the news of her passing.
It seems very strange to write these words now, but I was her "boyfriend" for much of high school. As high school couples do, we spent so much time together. Almost every day after school, we would walk across Peekskill to her home and hang out. One thing that I have tried to take from my time with her was her ability to look at anyone and everyone as a friend or a friend she hadn't met yet. A large part of our relationship was her friendship with so many others. As an immature high school kid, I was sometimes bewildered by her open attitude towards everyone, but in the years since, I have taken this from our relationship and have tried to see every new person in my life as someone to whom I could relate.
Her friendships with Donna DeChristopher and Peggy Valente and the singing that they did as a trio meant so much to her. And her openness to all of our classmates was another part of her that I’ve kept with me. I truly cannot recall a single negative thing that she ever said about anyone.
I also learned about losing someone close, being part of her life when her father died, a life experience that affected her so greatly. She adored her father and missed him so terribly.
Although we tried to continue our relationship when we both left for college, as often happens, we drifted apart as we became adults and discovered who we were. In some ways, I think this was the most important thing I learned from Lorraine-- finding out who you are and embracing the elements of your being that make you a total person. It was such a different time then, compared to today. So much of her path of discovery was internal and kept private. I remember so well when she finally wrote me and told me that she had realized that she was gay, as we call it today. But back then, it was a very different, murky, difficult thing to come to grips with. She agonized over writing that letter, and wrote pages to try to explain. Her biggest concern was that it would cause me to withdraw from our friendship. It didn’t, but as often happens, time did that on its own.
Although we spoke very little over these intervening years, I thought of her often and was happy that she found a life of happiness and contentment. Her journey helped me raise a gay son, and to be much more accepting of the differences among us. I am a firm believer that if someone still remembers you, then you are not really gone, and I know that Lorraine lives on in my mind and the minds of my children. Hers was truly a life well lived.
Donna DeChristopher (Kmetz)
Dearest Lorraine – we met in fourth grade when my family moved to Ridgewood Drive and I moved from Woodside to Hillcrest. Some of the smartest kids in our class were at Hillcrest – it was a new challenge, even in the fourth grade. Already a wunderkind, Lorraine excelled at everything – school, sports, piano. My new neighbor was competitive, but also welcoming, and soon we were friends. I was no athlete - Lorraine called me a gazelle. I remember the winters. We had some huge snowstorms at that time, cars didn’t get around so easily, and roads weren’t plowed so quickly. Living up the long Frost Lane hill, there were snow days and lots of time for sledding. Beginning in grade school, we went caroling in the neighborhood. Our harmonies were good! Little angels. Later on, guitars and folk music helped get us through high school. We lost touch for a long while, but a few years ago I made an effort to reconnect with friends from the past, and was fortunate to spend some time with her once again. And we did sing a Christmas carol at the Red Lion Inn. Joy is what Lorraine brought to this world!
I’ve closed many doors and spent more time looking forward than back, but thinking now of Lorraine, I remember the best of those years when we were trying to figure out who we might be. And it’s beautiful to read the memories from other old friends. Bravo Lorraine!
Connie Blaze
I am shocked and saddened to hear this terrible news! Such a special person, she will be missed by many. Lorraine, may you rest peacefully.