April 24, 1927 – January 5, 2012
“Well done, thou good and faithful servant”
“Beloved Wife, Mother, Grammy, Friend, Teacher”
Lorraine Florence Young passed away January 5, 2012 at 12:51 PM under Hospice care in Pueblo CO. Born Lorraine Florence Hurlock April 27, 1927 in Winthrop MA Grammy leaves behind her spouse of 52 years Robert Grant Young, 4 sisters – Dottie Stowe, Gloria Fitzpatrick, Sylvia Dowst, her twin Lois Crist, Son - Ronald Scott Young, Daughter – Sylvia Ann Marston, 3 grandchildren – Nathan Robert Marston, Lillian Lorraine Marston and Mikalyn Patricia Marston and her beloved Schnauzer - Scamp.
Lorraine had a very fulfilling life as a Camp Counselor teaching sailing, PE Teacher, concert flutist, Suzuki Music Teacher, Wife, Mother and Grammy. She graduated from high school in 1945 from Marblehead High School. She received her BS degree from Tufts University in 1949 Majoring in Physical Education and Health and her MA degree from New York University in 1959 majoring in Music Education.
While in New Jersey working for the YWCA teaching swimming to handicapped kids she met a young and up and coming engineer for Hughes Aircraft – Robert Grant Young. Bob met Lorraine on a blind date at a party in his New Jersey bachelor pad where he suggested they escape the party and listen to some of his music. Although no ill intentions were documented she did fall in love with him and his passion for Classical Music and they were married on Nov. 28, 1960 in Rochester, NH. Bob, an excellent vocalist, who at 86 still captivates an audience, serenaded Lorraine during her final moments with beautiful hymns and pieces they enjoyed over the years. Lorraine joined in a tearfully beautiful duet of Autumn Leaves which was “their song”. Love is Eternal…
Shortly after marriage the young couple headed west to Torrance, California to start their life together. They soon moved to Claremont, CA and then finally to LaVerne, CA. In California she worked as PE teacher for St. Paul’s Episcopal School, where her children, Ron and Sylvia attended. She was the Director of the Claremont Community School of Music, and a Suzuki Flute teacher, and was a flutist in the Claremont Symphony while raising her two children Sylvia and Ron acting as their Girl and Cub Scout leader respectfully. Shortly after retirement they moved to Colorado Springs in 1991 where Lorraine set up shop as a private music instructor. “Music, once admitted to the soul, becomes a sort of spirit, and never dies.” Her musical legacy lives on!
In addition to a deep passion for music, Lorraine was a Naturalist and Traveler. She combined these two loves as she and Bob sold everything, purchased some “wheel-estate” and hit the open road. They spent over 10 years crisscrossing the US in their 40 foot motor home visiting friends, family and natural wonders. During the Winter months they settled in the southern desert of Arizona where Grammy would take long walks enjoying Jumping Chollas, Octavia, Barrel Cactus, and especially the desert wild flowers. They purchased a house near Organ Pipe National Monument in Ajo, AZ. Lorraine and Bob loved their Ajo community very much where, Lorraine directed their Church choir, enjoyed her sisters in the Beta Sigma Phi sorority, and played the Native American flute programs at Organ Pipe National Monument.
In 2009 after spending a wonderful week coaching her grandchildren during a week at the Suzuki Institute in Beaver Creek CO, Lorraine was diagnosed with Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer. Never a good diagnosis, she prepared herself with the aid of her family to battle this deadly disease. After surgery, 5 months of intensive chemo therapy and the most positive disposition a human being could possibly muster – she beat it! She was cancer free.
With the many doctor appointments, Bob and Lorraine relocated from Ajo to the loving community of Pueblo Regent – an independent living retirement home near their son Ron, who lives in Pueblo West and daughter Sylvia’s family who live in Morrison. Even though her physical woes continued, she was able to travel back east for a very special reunion with the Hurlock sisters. These five octogenarians roamed their old stomping grounds of Marblehead, the Hurlock family camp in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, and the Crist apple farm in Walden, New York tying on together all the memories of their lives. Thank you Lois!
Just before Christmas, Lorraine was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Once again she was prepared to fight. She was not ready to give up and wanted to stay with her family and continue to live the life that she loved so much. The battle proved to be too much and Lorraine passed on with her family by her side praying, singing, and loving her. An angel to the end, always positive, loving and gracious, Lorraine joined her maker in Heaven and came face-to-face with her savior Jesus Christ. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. --John 3:16”
Most importantly, Lorraine had endless love, hope and faith in God until her very last breath and is in a better place for eternity and is shining down upon us all, first flutist in the heavenly orchestra!
Written by Michael and Sylvia Marston
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