Obituary for Ruth Lorraine "Rainey" Fitzpatrick
Ruth Lorraine “Rainey” Fitzpatrick, 97, of Winchester, MA and Kennebunkport, ME passed away on February 3, 2023 after a brief illness. Rainey was born on August 6, 1925, to Louis Flammia and Bessie Sullo Flammia in Winchester, MA. Rainey graduated from Malden High School, and it was there where she met the love of her life, James “Fitzy” Fitzpatrick. They moved to Norwood, MA and raised three wonderful children, Robert, John, and Lanie. She was married to “Fitzy” for 62 years before his passing in 2010.
Rainey worked for H.A.Johnson on State Street in Boston while attending Boston University Evening Division. Once married, she dedicated her time to bringing up her 3 children. When her children began college, Lorraine started her career with the Norwood Public School system starting in 1970 for the the Music Department. Her colleagues knew her as a hardworking individual who was always willing to a share a laugh or smile. She started the 9-5 Union for the secretaries and became president. She retired in 1985 but maintained life-long friendships with students and faculty alike.
Rainey loved the arts. She had a passion for oil painting and was an accomplished artist. She served on the Maine Women for the Arts board in Kennebunkport and initiated the successful Goose Rocks Beach Association art show each year proudly displaying her latest paintings of Timber Island. She also loved music as well as dance and was a season pass holder for the Ogunquit playhouse in Maine and the Van Wezel Hall in Sarasota, FL.
Rainey was a devout Catholic and relied on her faith during the difficult times of her life. She attended mass every Sunday often singing the liturgical music alongside the local choir.
Rainey enjoyed quality time with friends usually on or around the beach. She started going to Hampton Beach in 1940, and later moved to Kennebunkport where she would greet all of her neighbors from her front porch. She spent winters in Venice, FL and developed new friendships over dinner or golf. Later in life, she became friends with a number of her fellow residents at her assisted living facility through the local singing group.
Rainey was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. “Beach Nana” loved spending time with family and was always up for a new adventure. She was proud of her family; for not only what her children and grandchildren accomplished professionally, but more importantly, how they made a positive difference in the lives of others.
She was predeceased by her son, Robert Fitzpatrick, married to Elaine. She is survived by John Fitzpatrick and his wife Beverly of Brunswick, ME; her daughter, Lanie Higgins and her husband Jimmy of Winchester, MA and Centerville, MA; her grandchildren, Jay Higgins and his wife Katie of Arlington, MA; Trish Schmidt and her husband, Glenn of North Andover; Jennifer Fitzpatrick of Brunswick, John L. Fitzpatrick of Bangor ME; Jill Jacobs married to Toby of Freeport, ME; Thomas “TJ” Fitzpatrick of Brunswick, ME, John Palumbo and his wife Elizabeth of Lunenburg and her great grandchildren Tommy, Robbie, Hannah, Sadie, Emma, Connor, Nathan, Wes, Gavin and Evelyn.
Visiting hours will be held At the Lane Funeral Home, 760 Main St., WINCHESTER on Tuesday, February 7th from 9-10:30 am. Followed by a Mass of Christian burial at St. Eulalia’s Church, 50 Ridge Street, Winchester at 11am. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Robert J. Fitzpatrick Memorial Scholarship, c/o Norwood Scholarship Foundation Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 112, Norwood, MA 02062, or norwood.dollarsforscholars.org.
Rainey worked for H.A.Johnson on State Street in Boston while attending Boston University Evening Division. Once married, she dedicated her time to bringing up her 3 children. When her children began college, Lorraine started her career with the Norwood Public School system starting in 1970 for the the Music Department. Her colleagues knew her as a hardworking individual who was always willing to a share a laugh or smile. She started the 9-5 Union for the secretaries and became president. She retired in 1985 but maintained life-long friendships with students and faculty alike.
Rainey loved the arts. She had a passion for oil painting and was an accomplished artist. She served on the Maine Women for the Arts board in Kennebunkport and initiated the successful Goose Rocks Beach Association art show each year proudly displaying her latest paintings of Timber Island. She also loved music as well as dance and was a season pass holder for the Ogunquit playhouse in Maine and the Van Wezel Hall in Sarasota, FL.
Rainey was a devout Catholic and relied on her faith during the difficult times of her life. She attended mass every Sunday often singing the liturgical music alongside the local choir.
Rainey enjoyed quality time with friends usually on or around the beach. She started going to Hampton Beach in 1940, and later moved to Kennebunkport where she would greet all of her neighbors from her front porch. She spent winters in Venice, FL and developed new friendships over dinner or golf. Later in life, she became friends with a number of her fellow residents at her assisted living facility through the local singing group.
Rainey was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. “Beach Nana” loved spending time with family and was always up for a new adventure. She was proud of her family; for not only what her children and grandchildren accomplished professionally, but more importantly, how they made a positive difference in the lives of others.
She was predeceased by her son, Robert Fitzpatrick, married to Elaine. She is survived by John Fitzpatrick and his wife Beverly of Brunswick, ME; her daughter, Lanie Higgins and her husband Jimmy of Winchester, MA and Centerville, MA; her grandchildren, Jay Higgins and his wife Katie of Arlington, MA; Trish Schmidt and her husband, Glenn of North Andover; Jennifer Fitzpatrick of Brunswick, John L. Fitzpatrick of Bangor ME; Jill Jacobs married to Toby of Freeport, ME; Thomas “TJ” Fitzpatrick of Brunswick, ME, John Palumbo and his wife Elizabeth of Lunenburg and her great grandchildren Tommy, Robbie, Hannah, Sadie, Emma, Connor, Nathan, Wes, Gavin and Evelyn.
Visiting hours will be held At the Lane Funeral Home, 760 Main St., WINCHESTER on Tuesday, February 7th from 9-10:30 am. Followed by a Mass of Christian burial at St. Eulalia’s Church, 50 Ridge Street, Winchester at 11am. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Robert J. Fitzpatrick Memorial Scholarship, c/o Norwood Scholarship Foundation Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 112, Norwood, MA 02062, or norwood.dollarsforscholars.org.