Lorraine nearly made it to 100 years. Once asked to what she attributed her long and interesting life, she responded, “taking lots of vacations”. Lorraine had never set foot on an airplane until she was 40 years old. After that, she traveled whenever and wherever she could, exploring many areas of the world.
Lorraine was born at home, in San Francisco on Divisadero Street. Her mother, Rita Sargent Rompf and grandmother, Lena Ramierz Sargent, were native Californians. Lorraine grew up in San Francisco, Petaluma, and Oakland. She spend many summers with family friends in San Rafael traveling across the Bay by ferry, prior to the building of the Golden Gate bridge. From her earliest memories, Lorraine wanted to be a dancer. Her interest in dancing and little theater were prominent throughout her life. Lorraine’s first job was at the Emporium in San Francisco, where she worked for $0.25 per hour. Lorraine married Imre Julius Jelenfy in 1933. They had two daughters, Valerie and Lorlee. Lorlee passed away in 2007. In spite of having only a high school education, Lorraine learned how to become a librarian. Her first library job was at the city library in Marysville, California, followed by the libraries at Yuba Junior College in Marysville, Chico State University library and for 26 years as the California Supreme Court library in San Francisco. Lorraine’s second husband was Safouh Naamani from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Lorraine lived for a time in the Middle East developing a special fondness for the culture, food and music. After retirement, Lorraine moved to Mill Valley and then to San Rafael.
Lorraine’s brother, Morse Frank McClaeb, and sister Dorothy Agliano, preceded her in death. Lorraine is survived by her daughter, Valerie Jelenfy Stilson, her grandchildren, guy Stilson, Greg Stilson, Dean Fugate, Dwayne Fugate, Elizabeth White, five great-grandchildren and her beloved niece, Marta Gold. Burial will be private.
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