Lorraine Bolus

Lorraine, who was born in Waterbury, CT, and passed away January 12 in South Chatham surrounded by family, was an artist by nature and floral designer by trade. In her hands, a simple clutch of wildflowers and grasses would be quickly transformed into an award-worthy arrangement.

She showed others how to find beauty. She taught her granddaughters how to fold a napkin for fancy occasions. She drew attention to sunsets and the ocean outside her kitchen window, and to every living creature – especially cats, which were her cherished companions throughout her life. She saw the good in people that went hidden to others.

As a regular exhibitor at the New England Flower Show, Lorraine brought flower enthusiasts from local nursing homes as her guests – once having to talk her way past an unsympathetic guard. That year, her arrangement took home the tri-color ribbon, the event’s best-of-show award.

Like most artists, she made no apologies for aesthetic obsessions. Hers was the color blue. What she wore, what she painted, what she collected – all in various hues.

God, faith and church lived at the center of her life. She never missed a service on Sunday until her failing health prevented her, and for much of her life she attended church daily, also praying the rosary after Mass. She applied the values of kindness and love every day of the week.

Lorraine was active in communities where she lived, as a member of the Woodridge Garden Club in Wayland, MA, the Chatham Garden Club, the Red Hat Society in Chatham, the Chatham Music Club and Holy Redeemer Choir; and as a volunteer for St. Ann Church in Wayland, Cape Cod Hospital Auxiliary in Chatham, and numerous nursing homes in Wayland and on the Cape. She also was a founding member of the Clever Hand, an artists’ cooperative then in Sudbury, MA.

Lorraine is survived by her husband of 59 years, Joseph Bolus, and two children: Naila Bolus and her husband Burton Glass of Newton, MA, and Jay Bolus and his wife Heather Bowen Bolus of Charlottesville, VA. She also is survived and loved by five grandchildren: Elisabeth, Gabrielle, Reece, Willa and Josette.

Leaving this world before her were her beloved parents, Alma (Juneau) and Damase Quesnel, and her brothers Henry (Gerald), Bernard and Roger Quesnel.

A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm, Friday, February 7, at Nickerson Funeral Home in Chatham. A funeral Mass will be held at 11 am, Saturday, February 8, at Holy Redeemer in Chatham.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lorraine’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation (https://www.alzheimersresearchfoundation.com/make-a-donation/)

or St. Jude Research Hospital (www.stjude.org/donate)