LORRAINE OLIVIA LAVINE

Lorraine Olivia was born to Margaret and Patrick Olivia on October 9, 1933. She was one of seven children. She and her husband, Sanford, had three children: David, Susan and Beth. Her family was very important to Lorraine. Like all mothers, she was proud of her children and grandchildren, boasting about their latest adventures. When she became a grandmother, five times over, she was just as thrilled with the newest child as she had been with the previous. When Sanford died in 1983, Lorraine opened up her home as a daycare center and spent many years raising, caring for and loving other people’s children.

Life wasn’t always kind to Lorraine as she faced diabetes daily since she was 34. And then she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999 after a routine mammogram. She had a lumpectomy, followed by radiation and chemo pill therapy. She went into remission for a time and it wasn’t until 2004 that her cancer metastasized into her breast. She started chemotherapy in 2004 and prayed daily for a breakthrough in breast cancer research. Like her sister, Ann Marie, who lost her battle with this disease in 1997, Lorraine feared for the future of her remaining sisters, daughters and granddaughters. Up to the very end she held onto the hope that a cure was within the grasp of medical research.

Lorraine, who had a fun loving nature, was a compassionate woman. She loved family, having good times and memorable events with them. Her home was always open. She spent hours cooking for parties and loved to entertain in her home. A special time for her was to have family and friends in for a home-cooked meal.

Lorraine seemed to find success in every venture. In the 1970’s she started bowling and won several events even the coveted “Queen of the Hill”. She played so much Bingo that in her eulogy her son wrote that she was probably organizing a Bingo Night where everyone is a winner.

Anyone who knew Lorraine loved her. She forgave easily and she loved unconditionally. She had remarkable grace and acceptance. Even when she faced her own death head on, she did so with tenacity and courage. She had great faith in her last days and accepted the inevitable. She called family members to reminisce about fun times and memories they shared. As she became weaker and it became evident she wouldn’t be able to finish all her calls, she requested that her love be extended to those she wasn’t able to contact. She didn’t want anyone left out.

Lorraine’s death has impacted the lives of many. Yet, those who knew her realized she never wanted her death immortalized. Rather, she would want to be remembered for the way she left, the way she loved, and those she loved: family, friends and all those who participate, as she did, in fund-raising events to help find the cure. Her wish would be that no other woman would be stricken with breast cancer, and, if she were here with us today, would impart the importance of an annual mammogram. If she could save one life she would know her own was not in vain.