Lorraine M. LeBarron

LEBARRON, LORRAINE M. (nee DAM) – Lorraine Marie LeBarron (nee Dam), 85, a lifelong resident of Yonkers, NY died Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at St. John’s Riverside Hospital. Lorraine was born February 19, 1932 in Yonkers, NY the daughter of George Richard and Gladys Martha (Strubel) Dam. She attended Yonkers Public Schools and graduated from the High School of Commerce in 1950. Upon graduation she went to work as a secretary for the American Viscose Corporation in New York City. On June 13, 1953 Lorraine was married at St Mark’s Episcopal Church, Yonkers NY to Harry John LeBarron, son of Harry A. Merwede and Beaunna LeBarron. Maid of Honor was Charlotte Hecker, Best Man was Charles Miller, and the Rev. Bertram Mortlock officiated. Lorraine spent most of her adult life as a full time mother and avid volunteer. She was very active in the Girl Scouts, serving as a troop leader for more than 12 years for the Post Roads Girl Scout Council, as a camp counselor at the Old Oaks Girl Scout day camp on Rumsey Road, and was co-manager of the Council’s cookie sales drive for several years. She was awarded their highest award, the Thanks Badge in 1977 in recognition of her outstanding service. Lorraine also volunteered as an adult leader of the Gardens for Youth program (co-sponsored by the Women’s Institute & Westchester County 4-H) which provided children ages 9-18 the opportunity to have their own garden plots on part of the old Boyce Thompson Institute at Odell Ave & North Broadway. She and her husband also served as leaders of the 4-H club the Stepping Stones, accompanying the members to The Country Grange Fair in Yorktown, NY and to the New York State Fair in Syracuse, NY where their entries won several awards. Lorraine eventually went to work part-time as a Program Aide for Cooperative Extension/Westchester 4-H in White Plains, NY where she helped arrange and run various programs offered to the community in the areas of environment, health and nutrition, economic development, and youth development. In her later years, Lorraine devoted many hours to St. John’s Hospital as a volunteer, and spent many happy hours participating in activities offered by Yonkers Senior Citizen’s centers – she especially enjoyed making handcrafted gifts for family and friends. Her lifelong interest in local history and genealogy is reflected in her membership & support of the Hudson River Museum, Yonkers Historical Society, Westchester Historical Society, Westchester Genealogical Society, & New York Genealogical and Biographical Society. She was able to make a trip to the Netherlands and connected with long-lost members of the Dam Family in Friesland, tracing her line back to Roelof Harmens Dam born in 1727. She traced her Strubel family back to Peter Strubel of Albig, Hessen, Germany in the mid-1600’s. Lorraine is survived by daughter, Laura J. Castry (Mrs. Gerard) of Telford, PA; daughter, Lynne M. LeBarron Thomas (Mrs. Mark) of Redding, CT; granddaughter Emma C. Thomas, brother Richard Van Dam (wife Linda) of Brookfield, CT and nephew Ronald van Dam. She was predeceased by her husband, Harry, who died in 2002. A memorial service will be held at her much cherished spiritual home, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Nepera Park, 1373 Nepperhan Avenue, Yonkers, NY on Saturday, September 9, 2017. The service will begin at 9:30 am followed by burial at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY. Donations may be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, American Diabetes Association or the American heart Association.

Whalen & Ball Funeral Home

168 Park Ave.

Yonkers, N.Y. 10703

(914)965-5488

www.whalenandballfh.com