Lorraine Smith Grandma Choo Choo Lorraine unexpectedly passed from this life to the next on June 13, 2005. Throughout the days preceding her death, she was surrounded by her family where they listened intently to her stories for the last time and reminisced about her incredible life. They talked about her birth on November 11, 1918 to Beryl and Jack Wiseman in Salt Lake City. Lorraine loved that her name was unique as she was named after Lorraine France, the place where the declarations were signed ending World War I. She told us again of her childhood, of growing up in the greenhouse and of her love for flowers. Much like a flower Mom blossomed into a strong willed, witty, caring and intelligent beauty with each facet of her personality a brightly colored petal. They listened with tears of joy in their eyes as Lorraine retold the tail of her courtship with the love of her life, Harold O. Smith. She recounts their marriage on March 31, 1938 as the best day of her life, the second being the day they were solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple for time and all eternity. Together mom and dad made a home and raised four children. Mom did anything and everything for her children and taught us that family always come first. She reminded us to continue our schooling, as mom was always a strong advocate for education. Lorraine prided herself on her most important calling of wife and homemaker, especially when Harold was working on the Western Pacific Railroad. She always had a clean home, a hot meal on the table and mom never forgot to make desert. We laughed and cried over our memories of our sacred family get-togethers, the "out of tune" caroling, the home made Easter baskets and our cherished fourth of Julys spent in Montana Lorraine had numerous callings in life but her work for God was of top priority. She told us her favorites included Relief Society President, Church Welfare/Social Worker and Church Greeter which helped her more than anything to over come her introverted nature. Last but not least was her calling to lead the Special Interest Group. We're confident they know how dedicated she was to them. She wanted them to know how much she loved and cherished them. Lorraine is survived by her children Joyce, Harold (Jonelle), Jackie (Jerry) Sosriowski, Lorrie Ryther, 16 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and many extended family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Lois, and her eternal companion. Lorraine was very independent and her greatest fear was losing this independence and dieing alone. We are honored and grateful to say that as she passed we held her hands in comfort with tears streaming down our faces. We sang to her "I am a Child of God", and retold her these favorite memories we just told you. Special thanks to University of Utah Hospital doctors and staff and especially Dr. Sanyer. Funeral services will be held Friday, June 17, 2005 at 11 a.m. at Cottonwood 1st Ward, 5913 South Highland Drive. Friends and family may call Thursday, from 6-8 p.m. at Holladay Cottonwood Mortuary, 4670 Highland Drive and Friday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church prior to services.
