Obituary: Lorraine (Politano) Powers, Longtime Resident of Danvers

Obituary from Peterson-O’Donnell Funeral Home.

Lorraine (Politano) Powers, 81, beloved wife of the late Robert James Powers, died September 28, 2014 at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston surrounded by her family.

Born in Boston, she was the daughter of the late Angela (Bellofatto) and Joseph Politano. She was raised and educated in Chelsea.

Leaving Chelsea in 1968, Lorraine and her family then moved to Danvers where she was a resident for the remainder of her life. She had been employed for many years at Betty Ann’s Sub Shop in Danvers.

Lorraine was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother and was dedicated to her family. She was a fitness buff and prided herself on her stamina in any physical activity. She enjoyed bowling and golf, loved to dance and was an avid reader. She cared deeply for animals and had a great passion for music that she shared with all.Lorraine loved to travel, particularly cruising the Caribbean, visiting the Boothbay Harbor region of Maine, and playing the slot machines at Foxwoods. She was an outstanding cook and will be remembered for her famous Italian dishes, especially spaghetti and meatballs with her famous “gravy”. But above all, family was always at the center of her life. She was “the Queen” or Matriarch of her large extended family and was proud to tell you so. Despite the scores of people in her family, she never forgot a birthday and always made everyone feel special. All who knew Lorraine admired her grit and resilience, and treasured her loving and kind nature. Her forever-youthful attitude and wonderful sense of humor were her hallmarks. She will be deeply missed by generations of loving family and friends whose lives she has touched over the years.

Lorraine is survived by her daughters, Maureen DiPierro and her husband Giovanni of Everett, Valerie Slater and her husband Donald of Bradford, Nancy Connelly and the late Danny Vivieros of Everett, Laurie Murphy and her companion Peter Somes of Lunenburg, Kimberly Carney and the late Michael Carney of Danvers, Kristine Babcock and her husband Kevin of Beverly, and Kathy Geary and her husband Paul of Beverly, her son Thomas Powers and his wife Carla of Danvers, her 18 grandchildren, her 15 great grandchildren, her sister Joanne Olson and her husband John of South Berwick, Maine, her beloved cousin and friend Catherine Dwyer of Chelsea, her brother in law Jim Butts of Amesbury and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. She was pre deceased by her dear friend Gordon Willett.

ARRANGEMENTS: Her funeral will be held from the Peterson-O’Donnell Funeral Home 167 Maple St., (rte 62) Danvers, Thursday, October 2nd at 8:15 A.M. followed by her funeral Mass in St. Richard’s Church, Forest St., Danvers at 9 A.M. Relatives and friends invited. Burial in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. Visiting hours Wednesday, Oct., 1st from 4 to 8 P.M. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory to the Little Home for Wanderers, 10 Guest St., Boston, MA 02135 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com