On June 30th, 2022, in the evening, Lorraine Betty Swanson (nee Lawrence), went to heaven to be with her soul mate for the past 74 years. A wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.
Lorraine is survived by her sons Gary (Maria), Randy (Christine), Rod, Kerry (Pam), Geoffrey, and daughter, Michelle (Kevin). Her grandchildren Donald Jr., Adam (Leah), Stacy (Matt), Scott (Bryanna), Sarah (Ryan), Nicole, Brienna (Juan), Bethany (Roger), Nicholas (Suzy), Lauren (Dylan), Nathaniel (Foxx), Peyton (Melanie), Reed (Jordan) and James (Amy). Great-grandchildren Mila, Jasmine, Ethan, Liam, Logan, Lyla, Kashton, Harrison, Wyatt, Lorenzo, Javier, Aurelio, Althea, Harmony, Geoffrey and Trace. She is also survived by her sister Gayle Turner, brother Greg Lawrence and many nieces and nephews.
Lorraine was predeceased by her loving husband just two months earlier on April 25, 2022, her father Ernest Lawrence, mother Catherine Lawrence, mother in-law Minnie Swanson, father in-law Donald Roy Swanson, brother Murray Lawrence, sister Joyce McCombe, brother Bruce & wife Maureen Lawrence, brothers in-law Harvey Turner, Ted Swanson, and Gerry and wife Clarice Swanson.
Lorraine was born on March 4, 1934, in Brandon, Manitoba. Just a few years later, her father moved their family to Winnipeg and grew up on Ruby Street. She always enjoyed spending time with both sets of Grandparents and learning everything she could about her ancestry. Her grandparents were very near and dear to her, and always gave her strength. She attended Gordon Bell high school and had a passion for the arts that included musical theatre, singing, piano, and painting. As a teenager, she worked at Furby’s Fruit Market and after high school, she worked at Great West Life.
At the tender age of 14, she met a charming young man, Don, at Grand Beach, Manitoba. She knew right then and there that she would marry him one day, even confiding in her best friend, Dale that she was going to marry that man! Lorraine and Don were married for 69 years and would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on September 20, 2022. We will always cherish the joy on their faces as they would get up and dance Jitterbug Jive like no other couple. They were soul mates and a true love story of commitment, devotion, passion, friendship, and undying love. They found refuge in each other’s arms and comfort in their love.
Lorraine’s love for the arts had her performing in churches and Broadway musicals, such as “Oklahoma!” and “The Sound of Music” (as Liesl) in Thunder Bay. She even performed in “Oliver” at Rainbow Stage in Winnipeg. She also helped at the school her children attended in Thunder Bay with music productions. Lorraine enjoyed listening to records on Broadway and Operas (especially her favourite The Sound of Music), singing along to the music, attending Manitoba Theatre, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and many other productions throughout her lifetime. Her family has fond memories of her singing around the house, especially while cooking in the kitchen.
It wasn’t long after their first three sons, that Don’s career would have them leaving Winnipeg in 1957. Lorraine was Don’s biggest champion and completely supported him and his career ambitions. As a team, they later moved to Thunder Bay (with five sons), back to Winnipeg in 1967, Vancouver in 1980 (with just her husband and daughter), Ottawa in 1986, and their final move back to Manitoba in St. Andrews in 1990. In 1972, Lorraine and Don found a cute little cottage on Lilac Road at Whytewold Beach that became the center for many family gatherings, Hawaiian Luaus, bon fires, sing-a-longs, board games, and swimming at Lake Winnipeg.
During her time in Winnipeg, Lorraine was active in the Rebekahs, in Vancouver she learned American sign language for her deaf and mute son, Geoffrey, and researched her family lineage. While in Ottawa she became an accomplished tole painter and gifted many paintings to the special people in her life. Lorraine developed cherished friendships in Ottawa, and this was truly a special time for her, an opportunity to finally do some things for herself (after all, she did have six kids)! Later, while living in St. Andrews, she initiated saving an important part of Manitoba’s history, St. Peter’s Dynevor Old Stone Anglican Church, at Chief Peguis Heritage Park Inc. with Don by her side.
Her most important charity was raising money to build a new group home in Selkirk for her youngest son, Geoffrey to move to in 2019 which truly broke her heart.
Lorraine was a force to be reckoned with and there is no doubt in our eyes, that her biggest accomplishment was raising Geoff. Even after being told Geoff would only live to the age of eight (he is now 61)! She never gave up on Geoff, kept him alive in those delicate early months, kept his limbs moving, and even made a walker for him at the age of eight so he could learn to walk. She demonstrated perseverance and deep motherly love for her very special boy. This was quite an accomplishment to keep a son with challenging disabilities at home until she was 85 years old.
Don made a commitment to Lorraine to take her to the Seven Wonders of the World. While they didn’t get to all of them, they traveled to many wonderful countries around the world. Some of their highlights include numerous countries in Europe, across Canada and the United States, tropical destinations, and their last trip to China (including the Great Wall of China), and spending time special friends Steven and Linda Zhang.
Lorraine could bake! She made the best pies (especially pumpkin), shortbread, Christmas pudding, and much more. Lucky are those that learned from the best on how to make the best pastry. She will lovingly be remembered the most for her perogies, holupchi and perogy bashes. We will forever hear her saying, “you’re not pinching correctly”, while drinking her chardonnay, and throwing flour.
Lorraine was a proud homemaker all her life. She was exceptionally invested in her home in St. Andrews. And she made it her family home. Many fond memories are held by her family, friends and Don’s business associates for the many events she and Don hosted.
The family would like to give thanks to Don and Lorraine’s great neighbours in St. Andrews and especially friends Darrell and Joan Diebert for all their help over the years. A special shout out to Aunt Gayle, who provided much support to Mom in the past few years and to long time friends Lyle and Beryl Allan. Your love, support, and kindness means a lot to the Swanson family and we want to recognize how special you are to us and in our hearts.
The family is also extremely grateful to the compassionate and caring staff at Misercordia Health Centre, Cornish 5, Transitional Care Unit, who attended to Lorraine’s complicated health issues these past few months.
In accordance with her wishes, Lorraine has been cremated and will join Don at Brookside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, we ask you consider a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
There will be a joint celebration of life for Lorraine and Don that will be held on September 10, 2022 at:
Classics Billiards Bar & Grill
1837 Portage Ave
Winnipeg MB
R3J 0G7
www.classicsbilliards.com/
And while we celebrate their love story, we know Don and Lorraine be celebrating their 70th anniversary up in heaven on September 20, 2022.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Lorraine Swanson Thursday June 30th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba