Lorraine Veronica Freitas

Lorraine attended St. Clare Elementary in Santa Clara and Notre Dame High School in San Jose. Her first job was at age 9 “cutting cots” (apricots) for drying at California Packing Corporation, she enjoyed sharing the memory of making $100 for the whole summer. She worked for 23 years as an office manager at Simoni’s Furniture store in downtown San Jose and then 17 years in accounting for FMC, retiring at 67.

Lorraine was a lifetime sports fan; she followed the Pacific Coast League before the Giants moved West. She also followed the 49ers, Warriors and even the San Jose Sharks once they entered the NHL. She loved playing golf and did so, well into her 80’s. She loved traveling the world, including frequent cruises with her nieces and nephews and many bus trips with friends and family to the casinos. She was often found knitting and crocheting gifts for others including baby blankets and hats to donate to newborn infants in the hospital. She loved reading mystery novels and watching Portuguese Soap Operas. She was also involved in St. Clare Parish and many charitable organizations.

Lorraine is survived by 13 nieces and nephews and countless great and great-great nieces and nephews. Lorraine worked hard to remain close with her surviving relatives and was deeply loved by all. Lorraine never worried about sharing her opinions with the family and was seen as our family Matriarch. The city of Santa Clara was made brighter by her presence and was celebrated by the Mayor of Santa Clara on her 100th birthday. She is preceded in death by her two brothers Manuel Miller Freitas and Louis Aloysius Freitas, as well as her parents, Rosa and Manuel Freitas, who had migrated from Madeira, Portugal.

Lorraine touched the hearts of many people and always left a big impression on them - she was truly unforgettable and will be greatly missed.

“God made a beautiful world for us to enjoy. I like to see everything. Everywhere you go is so different. But I’ll tell you, there is no place like Santa Clara.” -Lorraine Freitas