

Lorraine passed peacefully in her sleep on September 23, 2026, at age 97. Born in Hartford on July 11, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Anna (DeCarli) Blesso and grew up in Hartford. After she got married, she lived in Wethersfield most of her life and after turning 89, moved to Florida for seven years before returning to Old Lyme in 2025 to live out the rest of her days.
Lorraine was preceded in death by her devoted husband Edward. A loving mother and grandmother, Lorraine, will be forever missed by her three daughters, LeeAnn Coleman (Landrigan) of Boston, Massachusetts, Patricia Van Degna (Landrigan) and her husband Michael of Davenport, Florida and Jean Landrigan of Old Lyme, Connecticut. She had two grandchildren, Michael Edward and Stefanie Marie Van Degna, and one great-grandchild, Vivian Isabel Van Degna. In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her four siblings, Richard, Mary, Frances, and Dorothy
As the youngest of five children, Lorraine was a good student who loved to draw in many different mediums. Over time, she became Martha Stewart before there was Martha Stewart. The wasn’t anything she could not do…knit, crochet, embroider, paint, wood carving, cook, make beautiful crafts, basketweaving, garden, reupholster furniture and most of all sew. She made all of her own clothes, her wedding dress and all three of her daughter’s wedding dresses. She also made drapes for every room in her house as well as many sets for her daughters. Lorraine was always working on multiple projects including many ongoing home improvements. Only a couple of months ago she finished crocheting coasters for one of Jean’s friends.
Lorraine was ultra-organized and labeled every box in the house. Even in her 80’s, she wanted to do everything herself, including moving 20lb bags of tree bark around the yard! The only thing she wasn’t the greatest at was using the remote or cell phone and Jean had to rescue her many times when she pushed the wrong button. Lorraine also enjoyed crossword puzzles and watching UConn basketball and Turner Movie Classics. She loved the family’s dog Teddy, who lived with the family for 17 years.
In 1983, Lorraine went back to work to put her children through college. She worked at Travelers for 10 years and was always the one her colleagues turned to when they needed anything. She will be remembered as a kind person with high moral standards who raised three great kids.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Corpus Christi Church of Christ the King Parish, 601 Silas Deane Highway in Wethersfield on Friday, November 6, at 11:30 a.m., followed by the burying of her ashes at Village Cemetery at 1 Marsh Street, Old Wethersfield (directly behind the historic First Church of Christ). There will be no calling hours, and everyone is asked to meet directly at the church Friday morning. The D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd. Wethersfield, has been entrusted with the care of the arrangements. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com
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