It is with heavy hearts that the Moran family announces the peaceful passing of their beloved matriarch, loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Lorraine Moran on Tuesday, August 9, 2022.
Lorraine spent her final days surrounded by the love of her family in the comfort of her apartment at the Oaks Retirement Village, until she was quietly reunited with her late husband, Ed Moran, after 36 years apart.
Lorraine leaves behind a legacy of love in her nine children John (Karen) Moran, Lori (Rob) Barr, Kim (Dave) Johnston, Kathy (Malcolm McAlpine) Moran, Lynn (Dennis Burgess) Ulch, Julia Moran (Shepley), Jim (Sue) Moran, Bill Moran, Peter (Elaine) Moran, and her 29 grandchildren Tami (Dan) Farr, Scott (Hilary Knight) Barr, Angus McAlpine, Jami (Adrian) Kloet, Bryan (Jessica) Johnston, Krystle Ulch, Jonathan (Christin) Barr, Kelly (Tonya) Moran, Matt Ulch, Adam (Zach) Moran, Sara (Connor Cleary) Shepley, Kasey (Max Robitaille-Moreau) Webster, Kevin (Beth) Moran, Kelsey (Greg Dick) Shepley, the late Kenneth McAlpine, Shauna (Mike Williams) Moran, Rebecca Ulch, Allie Burgess, Kaylyn (Brad) Rayson, John (Bree) Burgess, Joel (Eleena) Shepley, Joseph (Chloe Duffy) Moran, Eric (Cassie Vansnick) Shepley, Aaron Moran, Ben (Shelby Sandford) Moran, Claire Moran, Daniel McAlpine, Libby Moran, and Thomas Moran.
She was a devoted and loving “Gramma” and was adored by her 36 (and growing) great-grandchildren.
Born as an only child to her mother, the late Eileen Harris (Weaver), Lorraine grew up on a farm with her family on Holt Line, where she spent her childhood venturing in the woods and working in the barn, milking cows alongside her cousins.
At the age of 17, she met her husband, the late Ed Moran while attending a Friday night dance in Sombra. With dreams of a large family, Lorraine and Ed married on February 23, 1957, and would welcome their first son later that year. The family eventually settled on their own farm on the Lambton Line in Port Lambton, where they were blessed with eight more children, five girls and three more boys, before Ed’s early passing on February 26, 1986.
Lorraine’s resilience and devotion to her large and growing family allowed her to continue to build a joy-filled life for herself, immersing her time in giving back to her community and the people she cared about.
As hard working as Lorraine was known to be, she also found time to get out of the house, enjoying social activities, building new friendships, attending dances, nights at the casino and cheering on the Toronto Blue Jays. (Go Jays Go!)
Lorraine will be remembered as a kind and caring individual who gave her time freely to serve her community. She was an active member of the Catholic Women’s League through the Sacred Heart Church and drove school bus for the local school system for more than 30 years. For much of her adult life, she catered local events with her dear friends Shirley Johnson and Florence O’leary, and many locals will remember their roast beef dinners and layered jello and cheesecake desserts. She was an exceptional cook, and could serve a traditional family-style meal like no other, and was known for delicious baked goods and Thanksgiving and Christmas pies – her apple was a particular family favourite.
Lorraine also dedicated her time weekly to delivering Meals on Wheels in Lambton County, and was a devoted driver for the Canadian Cancer Society, driving patients to treatment in London for many years. Her empathetic nature and ability to respond to grief in others during vulnerable times made her a comforting presence during her tenure at Wallaceburg’s Nicholls Funeral Home.
In her later years, Lorraine settled in Sarnia with long time partner, the late Doug Metcalfe, where they enjoyed each others company and their families.
Lorraine’s pride and joy was her large and growing family. She never missed an opportunity to celebrate the birth of a new grandchild or great grandchild, and had a knack for identifying all the Moran features in a tiny new family member. She counted her many blessings on a daily basis, and passed that gratitude on to her family, who remain connected in her honour to this day.
Her warm smile, kind words, and caring nature will be extremely missed by the entire Moran family.
Family and friends will be received at the Eric F. Nicholls Funeral Home Ltd. 639 Elgin St., Wallaceburg, on Thursday, 2022 from 2-4 p.m. and 7 – 9 p.m. A Celebration of Lorraine’s life will take place Friday, August 12 at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Port Lambton.
As an expression of sympathy, donations to Cancer Society; Canadian Red Cross – Meals on Wheels; St. Vincent De Paul; Catholic Women’s League may be left at the funeral home.
