Lorraine Tharp

Tharp, Lorraine SARATOGA SPRINGS Community leader and attorney Lorraine Power Tharp passed away peacefully at home on October 28, 2008 at the age of 60. Lorraine was well known for volunteer leadership of many arts, health and equine-related organiza-tions, as well as for her years of service to the New York State Bar Association. Her genuine sense of caring for others, her infectious smile and her extraordinary commitment to serve her community and her profession, will be missed by all who knew her. Lorraine was born in Staten Island, but grew up in Massena, N.Y. She graduated from Smith College after spending her junior year in Geneva, Switzerland at the Institute des Hautes Etudes Internationales, and received her J.D. from Cornell Law School. Following graduation, she worked in New York City with the firm of Wickes, Riddell, Bloomer, Jacobi & McGuire (subsequently merged into Morgan, Lewis & Bockius) where she was the first female associate attorney. She moved to the Capital District area and worked with the McNamee Lochner Titus and Williams law firm where she was also their first female associate. At the time of her death, Lorraine was a partner in the firm of Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, in Albany and was the chair of the firm's real estate practice group. Lorraine was president of the 74,000-member New York State Bar Association in 2002-2003, having also served in numerous leadership positions within the bar association. In 1997, Chief Judge Judith Kaye appointed Lorraine to a four-year term on the then newly-created New York State Continuing Legal Education ("CLE") Board, charged with overseeing the accreditation process and other matters in connection with continuing legal education for attorneys admitted in the State of New York. Until her death, Lorraine held many volunteer leadership positions serving her community and her profession. She was a commissioner of the New York State Racing Commission; and the first woman to serve on the commission, chair of the board of the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund Corporation; and one of the members of the Third Judicial District Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission, part of the statewide network for screening judicial candidates. She was the vice chair and a trustee of Saratoga Hospital, a member of the board of directors of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, a trustee of the Hyde Collection, a trustee and secretary of the board of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, a member of the board of the Empire State College Foundation and a member of the board of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. Lorraine's commitment to community extends over many years, having also served as chair of the City of Saratoga Springs Planning Board, and on the boards of directors of Equinox, Leadership Saratoga, Saratoga County Arts Council and Home Made Theater. She assisted in fundraising efforts for many organizations including Skidmore College and Smith College. Lorraine was the recipient of the 1995 Leadership Saratoga Distinguished Alumni Award, the 2002 Soroptimist Woman of Distinction Award, the 2003 Kate Stoneman Award from Albany Law School, the 2003 Woman of Excellence in the Professions Award from the Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce, and she was honored in 2004 by the New York County Lawyers' Association as one of the "Outstanding Women of the Bar." Most recently she was honored by the NYS Bar Association's Special Committee on Animals and the Law, a committee she founded, for her vision in recognizing the role that animals play in all walks of life, and the importance of fostering a society that is humane not only to animals but also to the people who value them. Every day, Lorraine talked about how blessed she was, with a devoted husband and family of whom she was extremely proud, for her wide circle of friends and for the enjoyment and fun of working with a myriad of organizations and people to make her community and her profession better for others in the present and the future. Lorraine touched and inspired the lives of all who knew her and enriched the lives of countless individuals. She is survived by her devoted husband of 34 years, Russell Tharp; her mother, Oske Power; her sister, Alison Power; her sisters-in-law, Dorothy Rodgers and Leila Steiner; and her two dogs, Lady and Shannen. She is also survived by her aunt and uncle, Osnif and John Gallucci of Glens Falls; her aunt, Hazel Kizirian of Providence, R.I.; several cousins and nephews; and hundreds of friends. Her father, William Power predeceased her. The family wishes to express its deepest gratitude for the support of her law firm Whiteman Osterman and Hanna during her entire illness. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. at Church of the Messiah, 296 Glen Street, Glens Falls, N.Y. There will be no calling hours prior to the service, but friends may visit with the family after the memorial Mass in the church hall across the street from the church. Flowers may be sent directly to the church. Burial will take place in Massena, N.Y. Contributions in memory of Lorraine may be made to any one of the following organizations: New York Bar Foundation, 1 Elk Street, Albany, NY 12207; Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, P.O. Box 3387, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866; Saratoga Performing Arts Center, 108 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Arrangements are under the direction of Regan and Denny Funeral Home, Glens Falls.