Lorraine E. Portalupi

WILLIAMSTOWN - On February 28, 2017, Lorraine Edith (McKnight) Portalupi died at Woodridge Nursing Home in Berlin.

She was born November 21, 1928, in Barre to Mildred (Martin) McKnight and David McKnight. She grew up in the north end of Barre, attended North Barre School, and graduated from Spaulding High School in 1946. On July 21, 1947, Lorraine married Peter Portalupi in the Barre Congregational Church. They lived their entire married life in Barre.

Lorraine was a working woman in the 1950's when most women were stay at home moms. She worked at the former Rock of Ages Capacitor Plant in Barre and then became a secretary at H.M. Farnham and Sons auto dealership on the Barre-Montpelier Road, continuing in that capacity when it became Lyon's Pontiac-Cadillac. While working at Lyon's she learned to run a computer program for payroll during the early days of computer programs. She remained at Lyon's until her retirement.

Lorraine loved to travel. She and Peter drove throughout Vermont as members of the 251 Club. They also made several trips to Prince Edward Island. Her first trip south of New England was to the Pennsylvania Dutch country with her daughter Linda and son-in-law Jim. In 2006 she took the first of several plane rides to Arizona to soak up the desert sun.

In 2009 Lorraine moved to The Gardens in Williamstown where she quickly made many new friends. Among them were Midge, Betty, Ruth, and Malcolm. They soon became known as the Four Ladies and Their Gentleman Driver as they frequently traveled to dine at Toziers Restaurant in Bethel.

In her spare time she enjoyed doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles. Reading was her passion. She always had a book at hand and several more waiting to be read. She was also an accomplished seamstress and embroidered many beautiful pieces.

Lorraine was predeceased by her parents and siblings; Elizabeth, Marion, and John as well as her husband Peter and brothers-in-law Norman Portalupi, Robert Lauderville, and Hollis Safford. She was also predeceased by step grandson, Travis West.

She is survived by her daughter Linda and son-in-law James West and Jim's children Yvonne Garand (Rick), Douglas West, Sonja Garon, Treva Southworth (Andy), and Troy West (Tracy), step great-grandchildren Lane, Sydney, Tegan, Jacob, Renee, Gavin, Sadie, Randi, Conner, and Ty. Also, brother-in-law Joseph Portalupi (Rita), sister-in-law Doris Portalupi, and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held in the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy Street, Barre on Monday, March 6, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the Book of Remembrance, Barre Congregational Church, 35 Church Street, Barre, Vermont 05641 or to a charity of your choice.