There’s a poignant pain,
I can’t explain,
A fine dame, named Lorraine,
Transitioned in space and time,
To join Rufus 1,2,3,4
She too had cat eyes
High cheekbones and beautiful smile,
A slender beauty with a contagious laugh,
Rocked me like her own baby to nap.
She became my travel companion in ’73, ’76 and again in the ’90’s with Wally again at the wheel.
She taught me how to eat artichokes in Tuileries, Paris.
We laughed at our mothers following the jokester, Wally into a brick WALL in Rotterdam!
We had what has proven to be my most heartfelt belly laugh in my life at Yellowstone National Park’s gift shop over a cute guy and sketch paper! Remember “Sketch-papING” , Wally?
Lorraine’s great taste in food, furniture, the world’s souvenirs, world music, clothes and cabernet sauvignon gave her the title, “The Hostess with the Mostest!” We all fondly remember her dinner parties, card parties, pool parties, dance and dart parties, delivering the best she could to her dear friends and family.
Move over National Geographic, cause Wally and Lorraine’s infamous narrated slide show parties taught us to enjoy the globe’s beauty as they visited all but one continent, Antarctica over their 62+ years together…
How grand her Christmas parties were with the Maniacos, Nadalinis, Kennedys, and Zawadskis. Watching in my mind’s eye this adoring couple dance the Austrian Waltz in their kitchen captures happy times and respectful love.
Lorraine enthusiastically shared her friends with us: Mary Mackay, Pat and Bob Konopasky, Dee Dee, Vesna and Bill Bailey and many many more who filled our lives with more joy.
Similar to Wally, Lorraine just had a knack for cleanliness and tidyness, as the two of them had the nicest personal hand-writing ever! Even her grocery lists were pretty!
Like all of us, Lorraine adopted Wally’s natural generosity, offering her time, energy and help to her loved ones. I know my mom, Pearl relished her hair appointment times with Lorraine. I appreciated her recipes, funny stories and talks on mom’s porch.
Thanks for the memories Lorraine. I know you loved me. Thank you for loving my brother so much all these years! Rest in peace.