Obituary for Lorraine A. Smokoska
Born January 1, 1924, Lorraine Smokoska died on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at Covenant HealthCare-Cooper Campus at 99 years of age.
She was one of five siblings and is survived by her brother, Eugene, and was predeceased by sisters Angeline and Irene and brother Donald. Lorraine is survived by seven nieces and nephews Robert, Dennis, Julianne, Laurie Jean, John, Linda, and Susan and several great nieces and nephews.
Lorraine lived through the great events of the 20th century. She and her four siblings were raised as young children by her mother, Blanche, in a single-parent household during the Great Depression after her father died in car accident. She came of age during World War II and lived through the momentous events of the Cold War, the dissolution of the Soviet Union, John F. Kennedy’s election and assassination, the Civil Rights movement, Vietnam, man’s first landing on the moon, the invention of the internet, and the rise of jet travel.
Lorraine grew up in the close-knit Polish-American community neighborhood around Holy Rosary Catholic Church on Saginaw’s East Side. After moving to Zilwaukee Township, she became an active member and Eucharistic Minister at St. Thomas Aquinas for many years when it was associated with the adjoining Franciscan monastery. Lorraine later continued as an active member of St. Josaphat Church, Carrollton – which has now been combined to become St. John Paul II Parish.
Lorraine selflessly and enthusiastically devoted her life to the service of others beginning with a 40-year nursing career at St. Luke’s/Covenant Hospital. After retiring she then became a dental assistant for Dr. Victor Knowlton until he retired.
Lorraine was an avid and adventurous traveler and visited much of the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, Peru and the Amazonian jungle, Spain, France, Switzerland, Italy and the Vatican. She was also an inveterate amateur photographer who extensively recorded her travels. Many of her photographs were published in local Saginaw newspapers. Lorraine was particularly proud of her pre-9/11 photographs of the World Trade Center buildings.
Honoring Lorraine’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Funeral Liturgy will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at St. John Paul II Catholic Church, 469 Shattuck Rd. Rev. Fr. William Rutkowski will officiate. Private interment will take place in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Friends may visit at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to St. John Paul II Parish. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to The Snow Funeral Home, 3775 N. Center Rd.
She was one of five siblings and is survived by her brother, Eugene, and was predeceased by sisters Angeline and Irene and brother Donald. Lorraine is survived by seven nieces and nephews Robert, Dennis, Julianne, Laurie Jean, John, Linda, and Susan and several great nieces and nephews.
Lorraine lived through the great events of the 20th century. She and her four siblings were raised as young children by her mother, Blanche, in a single-parent household during the Great Depression after her father died in car accident. She came of age during World War II and lived through the momentous events of the Cold War, the dissolution of the Soviet Union, John F. Kennedy’s election and assassination, the Civil Rights movement, Vietnam, man’s first landing on the moon, the invention of the internet, and the rise of jet travel.
Lorraine grew up in the close-knit Polish-American community neighborhood around Holy Rosary Catholic Church on Saginaw’s East Side. After moving to Zilwaukee Township, she became an active member and Eucharistic Minister at St. Thomas Aquinas for many years when it was associated with the adjoining Franciscan monastery. Lorraine later continued as an active member of St. Josaphat Church, Carrollton – which has now been combined to become St. John Paul II Parish.
Lorraine selflessly and enthusiastically devoted her life to the service of others beginning with a 40-year nursing career at St. Luke’s/Covenant Hospital. After retiring she then became a dental assistant for Dr. Victor Knowlton until he retired.
Lorraine was an avid and adventurous traveler and visited much of the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, Peru and the Amazonian jungle, Spain, France, Switzerland, Italy and the Vatican. She was also an inveterate amateur photographer who extensively recorded her travels. Many of her photographs were published in local Saginaw newspapers. Lorraine was particularly proud of her pre-9/11 photographs of the World Trade Center buildings.
Honoring Lorraine’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Funeral Liturgy will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at St. John Paul II Catholic Church, 469 Shattuck Rd. Rev. Fr. William Rutkowski will officiate. Private interment will take place in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Friends may visit at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to St. John Paul II Parish. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to The Snow Funeral Home, 3775 N. Center Rd.