Lorraine M. Dion
November 29, 1927 – October 13, 2018
Our beloved Nana
She was known by many as “Laurie from Key Colony” but at home with family she was called Nana. With heavy heart we share that our Nana has gone to be with her Dear God. She took her last breath just before sunrise October 13th at home with loved ones by her side. She was fearless and had an iron will to live, defied the odds time and time again over these past few years. As it became more difficult for her recently, she knew it was time to put things in God’s hands. Her unending love and devotion to her family will forever live in our hearts.
Born Lorraine Long in New York City on November 29, 1927 to her “Mama and Daddy”, Julia and Charles Long. She grew up in Queens, New York of Irish immigrant parents and was a proud, beautiful, principled, intelligent, humorous, and hardworking product of her times. After graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School she began professional career at Bankers Trust Co. in Manhattan. Lorraine loved to share stories about the 1940’s Manhattan business world. She was proud of years spent in many professional capacities. All who knew her loved and respected her. Her generosity, loyalty, and wit were just a few of Lorraine’s undeniable attributes. She often said that she “didn’t have time for hobbies because I am a worker”. Her proudest roles in life were being Kelly’s mother and Alexandra “Dolly’s” grandmother. Nana’s love was immeasurable and unconditional. She was provider, protector and constant as the North star.
Lorraine and family moved from New York to Key Biscayne in 1978. The island remained her home and her work place for 35 years. In 2013, she moved to nearby Pinecrest to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Bob DerHagopian. These recent years were filled with happy times, surrounded by many cats, dogs and friends. She never missed an episode of Fox’s “The Five” accompanied by a glass (or 2) of sweet red wine or on special occasion one of Bob’s gin & tonics. She read newspaper from cover to cover daily. She could spell most words in the dictionary and give their definition. She loved Frank Sinatra sing-a-longs on the iPad, singing “God Bless America” and proudly reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at any time of the day. She was a fierce patriot of the United States of America. She had an opinion about everything and was not shy sharing hers. Nana was truly the “wind beneath our wings” and she will forever remain alive in our hearts.
Lorraine is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Kelly and Robert DerHagopian, granddaughter Alexandra Burns, sister and brother-in-law Ellen and Donald Haug and niece Kim and Joe Miles. Funeral Mass Saturday October 27th at The Church of St. Louis, 7270 SW 120 St., Pinecrest, Florida at 2:00 p.m. Lorraine will be reunited in burial with her “Mama and Daddy” in a private family service in New York.