Lorraine,
I will never forget your laughter and smile. We shared so many wonderful times together and many memories of the trips our running group took together.      
Every time I eat a  a Snicker Bar I will think of you. And as you always reminded us "Never grow up".
Love,
Kathy White
Lakewood

Lorraine is a light that will never go out. She is carried in the heart by anyone that was blessed to have known her. She taught me that grandmothers can play and have as much fun every day as one can. Thank you Lorraine for always including our little family with yours.

She was a very inspiring, loving and funny woman.  I will always remember her laugh and the laughter she created for those she crossed paths with. Lorraine, you will be forever in my heart as my third grandmother.

My Aunt Lorraine

In 1969 Lorraine sent my mother, her sister Irma, now 98, a book entitled LETTERS OF THE SCATTERED BROTHERHOOD.  I can still see the date on the book in my mind's eye, it sits among my mothers treasured books on the shelf in her bedroom.

And before or after that book she said to my mother and my mother to me, "Everything is on Schedule."  I believed this was true because Lorraine said it was, I didn't truly understand any of this for about 20 years although I often read the book and repeated her words.

In 1991 the  1948 edition was reprinted and I bought 5 copies.  

Lorraine was a poet and a writer, a communicator, she would  call to say hi, I love you, or jot a note about the beautiful sunrise, we, the tribe, who lived in Seattle all were receivers of these great gifts.

Her face, her smile, her laugh, her wisdom live on in my heart.  She was my aunt and my life teacher, my spiritual guide without title or fanfare.   

Her love was bountiful.  Her heart forgiving.

We also ate a lot of red licorice when she came to visit and donuts.

I always cried when she left and I cry now because I am bereft, maybe she'll be our spirit guide, who knows?

Love, Carolynne

Aunt Lorraine, free spirited, determined, daring, fearless, accepting, loving, full of fun, and spiritual, those are the words that come to mind when I think of her.  
Aunt Lorraine was thirteen years older than me, so as I grew up it was easy to identify with her and all the things she was doing.  She never shied away from a challenge, in fact sought them out in running competitions, motorcycle rides, her painting business, and raising four great kids (a lot of years on her own after Drewry's death).  It always seemed she “got by” one way or the other, and managed to go on to the next challenge with renewed strength and enthusiasm.  
I had the privilege of living with the Pennington family for 6 months in 1961.  It had to have been a hardship on them to have this teenager without a job, or much direction under their roof.  Yes, I played with the kids, and the dog, and helped out a little, but probably was more bother than help even after I got a job. During this time, Lorraine helped me find some traction for my life, never prodding just talking, encouraging, and always loving.
She will always be with me in spirit, knowing that her example of a life lived well will always be before me.

The best thing about my Aunt Lorraine is that she never completly gave up the joys of youth for a staid adulthood!  On our trips through Europe, I remember her "playing soccer" with my mother, Donna Pearson/Braley, in the large platz in Munich after a few brews at the Hof-Brau Haus, and at another time on another European trip together, when Lorraine went out on her own early one morning for a bottle of milk, but came back with cigarettes because she was too kind to correct the owners misunderstanding of her request rendered either in English with a desperate attempt to add a German accent to her inquiry!  I'll also not forget the time we nearly lef mother Donna on the moving train, being a bit afraid to just from the slowly moving train as it passed our grandfather's hometown of Husqvarna, Sweden.  I jumped first, them Lorraine, and fortunately mother got the nerve up too, just before the train began to increase its speed to reach Jonshipping.  (meanwhile a cascade of other folks on the train also followed the whim of Aunt Lorraind and I to "wage a little fun and save some travel money for something else!  Lorraine didn't fear much of anything, and remainded kind, considerate and understanding all her days.  She has long been my hero due mostly because she always saw the bright side of things and was game for just about any adventure.  I have never met another woman equally interested in hiking up the trails of Mt. Falcon, exploring catacombs in Europe, climbing ladders to paint homes for people who were unable/unwilling to do so even though she might be much older than they, and her running a very lengthy marathon and savor the applause and encouragement of the crowds as she finally entered the final lap at the stadium!  She lived life well and certainly was a role model for all of us who knew her, but more than that she was a genuine friend to family, friends and foreigners alike.  She made my world a much better place, and didn't turn her back on me when she could and should have...  I hope that some of her sincerity, compassion and "joi d'vivre" has rubbed off on all of us who were fortunate to have shared time with her.  She will be deeply missed, but always appreciated beyond words.  Aunt Lorraine has been my guardian angel for decades, and will be deeply missed, but fondly, and profoundly, remembered by me as long as I live.

What a marvelous aunt and incredible woman!

Dear Lorraine, I was honored to have known you for 30 years. You were a wonderful addition to our running group and we shared many wonderful trips together.  It was always such fun to have our get togethers at your wonderful welcoming home. You will be missed.

Love, Barb Brom

Aunt Lorraine, you, my favorite aunt, will be missed. I treasured your calls on my birthdays. You were my angel after Daddy died, and you've been an inspiration to me in so many ways. I watched as you picked up the pieces after Drew died, started your painting company, and worked so hard to care for your family — all with a smile and gratitude. Whenever I visited you, it was like no time had passed — we picked up like it was yesterday, and so full of love. 

I've been smiling the last couple of days, thinking about funny things you said or did. The one that makes me laugh is hearing about your Europe trip with Mom (Donna who was married to your brother Glenn) and my brother Michael. You were on a mission to run in every country of Europe. At that time you were running marathons (I can't tell you how much that inspired me!). Michael told me that there were a couple of countries he hadn't planned to visit but you asked him to just drive over the border so you could run there and count it in your mission! I love that about you and it makes me smile every time I think about it. 

I also have been thinking this past few days of how devoted you were to Michael and me when Daddy passed, and I never really thought about how hurt you must have been, losing your brother. There was never any mention of that. You have always been so humble and brave. During one of Michael's and my last visits with you, you quietly grabbed us both, looked us in the eye, smiled, and said, "You need to know that you father adored your mother and he loved you both dearly." Then you laughed and that was that. It was a turning point for me. 

I remember all of our waterskiing weekends at Lake Loveland, how we'd all pack up and camp on the northwest bay, taking over that place, and having so much fun together — aunts, uncles, cousins, campfires, and endless waterskiing. Those are some of my most treasured moments of my childhood. And you were there making it even more special.

One day, several years ago, you told me you'd just returned from an 8-mile power-walk with your girlfriends. I was aghast and impressed. You were no spring chicken! That planted a seed in me. If she can do it, so can I! Now I've achieved the 8-mile power-walks and I think of you each time.

We never know how deeply we've touched others and I'm sure you've no idea how you've impacted my life. I am eternally grateful for your presence in my life, and for all the many gifts you gave me through your example.

I love you so much. Thank you for being you and for being my special aunt.

OBITUARY

Lorraine Pennington

December 13, 1928 – July 14, 2013

Olinger Funeral, Cremation & Cemetery - Crown Hill

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