Lorraine Signore

Lorraine Errico Signore, 98, passed away peacefully in her Raleigh, North Carolina home on June 6, 2026, just a few weeks shy of her 99th birthday. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, James Signore, to whom she was married for almost 60 years until his passing in 2007.

Born on July 12, 1927, in New Haven, Connecticut, Lorraine was the daughter of the late Dr. Louis Errico and Antonette DeFilippo Errico. She grew up on the water on Cove Street in the Morris Cove section of New Haven. She attended the Morris Cove School, graduated from Nathan Hale Elementary School, and went on to graduate from Hillhouse High School in 1945 and Annhurst Women’s College.

After marrying, she and Jim raised their family in New Haven. Lorraine spent most of her life as a homemaker, but later worked as a para-educator in the public school system. She was also a long-time member of St. Bernadette’s Church. An accomplished seamstress, she later took up quilting, creating many heirloom pieces. She loved dogs, retained her lifelong passion for the water and dancing, and remained remarkably active and full of life well into her later years.

In 2006, Lorraine and Jim moved to North Carolina to be closer to their daughter Judy and her family. Lorraine lived independently in her Raleigh townhouse for 20 years before moving to the Capital Oaks Retirement Community in October 2025, where she thoroughly enjoyed making new friends and participating in community life.

Lorraine’s biggest heartbreak was the unexpected passing of her son, Austin, in 1989. She is survived by her son, Paul Louis Signore and his wife Julie Signore of Maui, Hawaii; daughters, Judy T. Ramquist and her husband Dr. Neil Ramquist of Raleigh, and Jamie Dee McDonald and her husband Douglas McDonald of Bethel, Connecticut; grandchildren, Frank Tortora (Carrie), Elise Tortora (Dimitris Tanios), and Kiyo Akiyama (John Mansfield); and 7 great-grandchildren, Austin, George, Giuliana, Cecilia, Benjamin, Louis, and Nico; alongside many other beloved family members and friends. She will be remembered for her sense of humor, quick wit, and love of her childhood home in Morris Cove.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Transitions LifeCare - 250 Hospice Circle - Raleigh, NC 27607 - (https://www.transitionslifecare.org/donate) or a charity of your choice.

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