Lorraine Valmassoi

Lorraine Valmassoi passed away peacefully and went home to be with her Lord and Savior on September 19, 2017.  She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and wonderful friend to many. She was diagnosed just prior to her passing with a rare form of bone marrow cancer. She was 86 years old and had a wonderful, long, and blessed life.

Sweet Lorraine will be fondly remembered by her adoring husband Tully, daughter Kathy (Lee), son Terry (Elaine), and her grandchildren Hailey (Michael), Taylor (Thu), Robert, and James. Lorraine’s brother John Dooley(Sydney) and sister Peggy DiLeva (Ralph). Lorraine was pre deceased by her parents Alice and John Dooley, and her brother Milton Dooley.

Lorraine

Lorraine was born in Port Townsend, Washington, on May 1, 1931, where she fell in love with the piano at a young age. She moved with her family to Southern California when she was 13. She graduated from Montebello high school. She met her husband Tully at the Methodist church youth group. They married on March 29, 1953.

Lorraine and Tully were marred for 65 years, and their love grew more deeply with each year they spent together. They were an incredible example of true love and friendship. She enjoyed being a homemaker, while raising her two children in Hacienda Heights, California. Lorraine loved to entertain family and friends. She was quick to throw a party together and welcomed everyone with open arms. She taught piano lessons at home, and served at church as an organist for many years. At the age of 40 she went back to school and received a bachelor’s degree in music from Cal State Fullerton. This lead to a long career as a music teacher, where both teachers and students loved her talent and enthusiasm. She was an inspiration!

Lorraine and Tully moved to their favorite place, Palm Desert, CA, where they both worked in education until their retirement. They will always treasure their many great memories of Deep Canyon Tennis Club, where they owned a condo for over 40 years. Lorraine enjoyed the Palm Springs Air Museum with Tully. She also loved to visit The Living Desert with her grandchildren. They lived there until moving to the Chateau retirement home in Bothell, WA in July 2016 to be close to their daughter.

Lorraine loved cooking family favorites, sewing, painting, reading, and crossword puzzles. Lorraine was energetic, and took Jazzercise classes well into her 80´s. She was involved for many years in the P.E.O. organization, which helped raise college tuition for women. She volunteered at SongShine, where she played piano for patients that suffered with Parkinson´s disease as well as stroke, and other neurological disorders. This group staged elaborate musicals starring the patients, and Lorraine assisted with rehearsals and productions. Music was her joy, and she spread this loving light to all of those who heard her music. Many were touched and transformed by her recitals, concerts, musical performances, and bell choir, as well as her breaking out into song on a daily basis. This was Lorraine, Tully would call her his pied piper.

Lorraine was a blessing to all. She cared deeply for her family. She was always willing to give of herself and lend a hand. She was quick to make a new friend and treasured her lifelong friendships. Lorraine knew how to love. She gave us all love. In I Corinthians 13 it speaks of the kind of love Christ calls us to have.

Lorraine lived out this love to all.

You will be missed.

In lieu of flowers please consider a gift to the Songshine foundation, 2115 Cascade Court, Anacortes,  WA. 98221 or online at songshineforparkinsons.com