Lorraine died peacefully, in her sleep, on Wednesday October 9th. Lorraine will be profoundly missed by her daughters Lorra (Warren) and Lorna (Robert) and grandchildren Matthew, Benjamin, Julia, Ryan and William. She was predeceased by her only son Jason and husband James.
Born in Toi Shan, Guang Dong, China, Lorraine moved to Hong Kong in 1949. In 1954 Lorraine emigrated to Canada to join her father’s family in Mount Albert. Lorraine was always proudly independent; although suitors were plenty she wasn’t interested, and her father chased them off saying “she’ll go to school”. But after school a friend introduced Lorraine to James. They were married in 1958 and were happily by each other’s side for 63 years.
Lorraine worked in Toronto’s Spadina garment factories as a clothing cutter but quickly realized she could do better. She opened her own garment sewing factory in 1980. Lorraine retired in 1996.
In retirement, Lorraine and James loved to travel and visited dozens of countries in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Lorraine always encouraged her children and grandchildren to travel and loved seeing the photos (and the chocolates or candies) that came home afterwards. Lorraine took up Chinese brush painting and loved the creativity. She exhibited with her club and at the Chinese Cultural Centre.
At home Lorraine turned attention to her garden. She would chat with the neighbours as they passed and of course she shared her bounty with her neighbours and family. Lorraine loved taking family and friends to dim sum – and could do it day after day. She was still gardening, chatting and going for dim sum into September.
The family would like to thank the staff at Michael Garron Hospital for their compassion and care for Lorraine during her final weeks.
A visitation will be held Pine Hill Funeral Centre, 625 Birchmount Road, Toronto, Saturday October 26 at 1:00 p.m. Funeral and interment will follow at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Toronto Community Alliance Church.