BRUNSWICK – Lorraine Jeannette (Ethier) Rich, 84, of Brunswick, Maine passed away on Monday, October 23, 2023 at the Garden Memory Care after a battle with cancer. She was the widow of Read E. Rich, Jr. who passed away just 7 months ago. Together they shared 63 blessed years of marriage.
Lorraine was born on September 13, 1939 in Webster, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Noe and Emma Rose (Forcier) Ethier. She was raised and educated in Webster and
graduated from Bartlett High School. She earned a Secretarial Science Associate’s Degree at Bryant College in Providence, RI.
Soon after her graduation she married the love of her life, Read, and moved to San Diego, CA to begin their Navy career together. The Navy brought them to residences in Jacksonville, FL,
West Warwick, RI, Webster, MA, Virginia Beach, VA and finally settled in Brunswick, ME.
Lorraine worked in various Doctor’s offices throughout her career. She was employed as a medical secretary by cardiologist, Dr. York and Bath Brunswick Mental Health Center.
She was active with the VP-26 navy wives club. She managed to survive many of Read’s 5 and 6 month deployments throughout the years; an unimaginable feat during the kid’s school
years and Maine winters!
She was an active member of All Saint’s Parish. She and Read worked on many committees throughout the years. They ran the Engaged Encounter Weekends from the early 1970’s until the early 1990’s, They also participated in and ran Marriage Encounter. She was a eucharistic minister and active in St. John’s school fundraisers. She was a regular participant at Le Cafe Francais (a French club at People’e Plus), Daughters of Isabella and secretary of the LFRA (Ladies Fleet Reserve Association).
Family was everything to Lorraine. She raised three children: Gregory, Kristine and Jennifer. The family grew with spouses, grandchildren and even great grandchildren. She centered her world around them. She held many titles: Lorraine, Lo, Hon, Mom, Memere, Mem. She was always present: celebrations, births, surgeries, etc. She would drop everything to be there.
She was the best listener, gave the best advice, was always there for friends and family. She was the life of the party, loved a good glass of chardonnay, could work a room and talk to just about anybody. She was a great cook, avid seamstress, master of crosswords, and so knowledgable about all things medical.
Lorraine is survived by her son, Gregory Rich of Jacksonville, FL, her daughters, Kristine and her husband Philip Pelletier of Hampton, NH and Jennifer and her husband Morten Andersen of Buford, GA. She is survived by six grandchildren, Jacob Pelletier and his wife Emily, Kyle Pelletier, Alexa Pelletier, Alexandria (Rich) and her husband Gerardo Medina, Sebastian Andersen and Aiden Andersen. She is also survived by two great grandchildren, Brayden
Pelletier and Alison Pelletier.
She was predeceased by her brother, Ronald Ethier; her sisters Rita Jacques and her husband Leonard; Yvette Hartley and her husband William.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 on Friday, June 14th, 2024 at St. John the Baptist Church, 39 Pleasant St, Brunswick, Maine. The burial will be at 12:00 on Monday, June 17th at Mount Zion Cemetary, Worcester Rd, Webster, MA. The family would like to extend a special thank you to CHANS and The Garden Memory Care
staff for the exceptional care given to our mother.
Memories and Condolences can be shared at www.brackettfh.com.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to CHANS Home Health & Hospice, 45 Baribeau
Drive, Brunswick, Maine 04011 or Mid Coast Hospital Annual Giving Fund, Mainehealth.org/
Mid-Coast-Hospital/Giving/Annual-Fund/Give-Now, PO Box 279, Brunswick, Maine 04011.
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