Lorraine Foster Gray

Lorraine Foster Kerr Gray, a loving mother, daughter and grandmother, passed away on June 14, 2019, at Inova Alexandria Hospital, Alexandria, VA. She was born Margaret Lorraine Foster in Pittsburgh, PA, on September 9, 1929, to the late Charles George Foster and Margaret Anastasia Foster (née Flynn). She is survived by her son, James Edwin Kerr, III, and his wife, Tamara Elizabeth de la Camp, of Alexandria, VA; daughter Courtney Ann Kerr and her wife, Caitlin McHugh of Santa Fe, NM; and two grandsons, Lachlan Elijah Kerr and Malcolm Isaiah Kerr, of Alexandria, VA. Lorrie was predeceased by husband Zachary Taylor Gray II and former spouse James Edwin Kerr, Jr. Lorrie enjoyed a rewarding career as a teacher and, in retirement, as a volunteer in education. She was fulfilled by an on-going connection to her students and families. In 2006, when Pluto lost its designation as the ninth planet, Lorrie fretted about having an obligation to reach out to students that she’d taught as far back as 1952 to update them on the change in status. Lorrie enjoyed time with old and new friends and reveled in social engagements and outings. A life-long fan of jazz and TV talk shows, Lorrie was a devotee of Dinah Shore in the ‘70’s and more recently Harry Connick Jr. The Modern Jazz Quartet was a long-time favorite dating from high school age forays to DC jazz clubs. An amateur pianist and occasional organist, some of Lorrie’s favorite tunes included Moon River, The Lara Theme from Dr. Zhivago and the music of the Jackson 5 and Fifth Dimension. In retirement, Lorrie finally found the time to lend her lovely voice to church choirs. Recently, Lorrie developed a love-hate relationship with Judge Judy. Bird watching was an interest. And, she was on constant alert for alligators during her 15 years living on Kiawah Island. An ardent Redskins fan from childhood, she added a second allegiance to the 49ers when she moved to San Francisco in 1969. Lorrie would have preferred to eat nothing but chocolate (Reese’s!) and ice cream (especially with hot fudge!) which somehow seemed calorie-free as she always remained trim. And, she was always ready for a convivial glass of wine that she somehow nursed all evening. Having lived in eight countries and traveled to over 15 more, Lorrie became functionally fluent in both Spanish and French. Living in San Francisco and Marin County, Lorrie became and ardent Californian. And, in over 15 years on Kiawah Island, Lorrie became a South Carolinian. But, at heart, Lorrie was always daddy’s girl from Alexandria, Virginia. A celebration of life will be held July 9, 2019, at 2 p.m., at Goodwin House, 4800 Fillmore St., Alexandria, VA 22311, where she resided since 2011. Lorrie will be interred at National Memorial Park, Fall Church, VA, in the family plot adjacent to her mother and father. She will be in interred earlier that day in a family ceremony. The family extends its sincere appreciation for the passionate care given by her physicians, caregivers, and the staff and residents of Goodwin House and Inova Alexandria Hospital. Her family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be sent to the Goodwin House Foundation, 4800 Fillmore St., Alexandria, VA 22311.