Lorraine Girandola

She passed away on May 20, 2023 at the Mercy Hospital/Good Shepherd Hospice in Rockville Center, New York.

She was born on September 25, 1936 to the late Raymond Hughes, a principal, and Willetta Spotts, a lifelong teacher. Lorraine’s fortitude in life was emboldened by a quote from her mother she held dear to her heart:

“Quiet in strength, wise in thought, excelling in loyalty.”

Lorraine studied nursing and trained at St. Vincent’s School of Nursing in Jacksonville, Florida, where she earned a Registered Nursing Degree. She furthered her education at St. Joseph’s College in Standish, Maine, where she earned Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Arts in Health Services Administration and a Master of Science in Nursing. She also was recognized with the Florence Nightingale Award for her outstanding work in the nursing community. As a young RN, she set out to be a woman for others. She initially interned at the Seton Psychiatric Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, before beginning a 50-plus year career in the nursing field.

Prior to her career in Nursing, Lorraine worked at Kodak in Rochester, NY and was a photography model. Then, she became a flight attendant for Eastern Airlines and then Trans Ocean Airlines traveling the world on the new Boeing 377 Stratocrusier with sleeping quarters and a lounge downstairs for transatlantic flights. One of her favorite memories was a six month special assignment where she was based on Wake Island.

She most recently was the Student Success Coach at the AACC/UMD Collaborative Physician Assistant Program in which she developed the Student Success Initiative, a comprehensive coaching and advising program for students’ success and educational goals. Over the 10-plus years of working in her role, Lorraine was instrumental in helping students dramatically improve test scores while increasing retention and graduation rates. More so, she was a mentor and counselor for thousands of students who often leaned on her for guidance. During her time at AACC, Lorraine was recognized with several awards and honors, namely the Outstanding Change Agent for her role in the development of the Student Success Initiative.

“Students and faculty members who cross paths with Lorraine instantly recognize her genuine commitment for students to succeed and her infectious lively and positive attitude.” – Dr. Cheri Hendrix, Program Director

Lorraine, a Protestant convert to Catholicism, was driven by her deep Catholic faith to help the care of patients across the spectrum of the healthcare field. Before arriving at AACC, Lorraine served as the director of nursing at two different assisted living facilities in Maryland. She also worked as a registered nurse at the UM Laurel Medical Center and Saint Agnes Hospital in Baltimore.

Lorraine became a Catholic after meeting and marrying Anthony Girandola, Catholic Priest in 1965. The two met at Seton Psychiatric Institute in Baltimore, where she worked and where he was a voluntary patient for two years.

Their life together was steadfast, committed, and a constant collaboration of care and love for those around them. As the life partner and wife of a priest in the 1960's was not without scrutiny, Lorraine perfected the notion of "grace and kindness above all."

Mr. Girandola was ordered out of the church in 1965 after the church discovered he was an ordained priest who had married. After their marriage, Lorraine and Anthony moved briefly to Westerly, R.I., where he worked as a reporter for the Westerly Sun newspaper and where a son, the first of three children, was born. Later, they moved to St. Petersburg, Fla., to be near Lorraine's family. During his time in Florida, they founded St. Dismas, a church for Catholics denied full rights of the church, including priests who decide to marry.

Her husband's defiant stand on marriage by Catholic clergy led to his defrocking and excommunication from the Church. Lorraine was a steadfast supporter of Anthony and her strong commitment as a devoted wife and mother ultimately gave Anthony the confidence to announce his marriage through the press. Father Girandola and Lorraine became internationally known when in 1966 he publicly challenged the church’s requirement of celibacy. Their love story and crusade became the subject of a 1967 British Broadcasting Corp. documentary “Priests Who Sin” and a feature in Life magazine. The couple was interviewed by Barbara Walters and they were requested to be on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. With Lorraine’s assistance, Anthony wrote “The Most Defiant Priest,” which earned the 1968 Mark Twain Award and a place on the New York Times bestseller list. Lorraine was a critical part of the journey as she financially supported the family during the writing and publishing of the book.

Lorraine ultimately became an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She often volunteered at the church for several functions, played the piano and served as a greeter on Sunday mass.

“Her natural gift of positivity and seeing the best in people was exemplified through her mentoring of others, often sharing the wisdom she learned from her mother,” her family said.

“She was devoted to her role as a nurse and a leader and did so with dignity, respect and true compassion.”

“Lorraine could always be counted on to be there for her three sons. She was an outstanding example of a true matriarch,” her family said.

“Her legacy will impact her sons, grandchildren, friends, extended family, thousands of students, and hundreds of colleagues for generations to come.”

Lorraine was preceded in death by her loving sister, LuAnne Willey, and her daughter, Mary Emmanuel. She is survived by her sons Anthony Girand, Christopher Girandola and Joseph Girandola; sister Bonnie Leyden; grandchildren Matteo and Sophia; Dante, Christian, Joseph, Rylie; Roman and Paolo; nieces, nephews, cousins….

Services for close family will be held May 25th, 2023 at Lakemont Memorial Gardens and Cemetery in Davidsonville, Maryland; a larger memorial service and celebration of her life will be held at a future date to be determined.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.lakemontmemorialgardens.com for the Girandola family.