Lorraine Monnier Tvrdik left this world on August 29, 2025, at Yale New Haven Hospital, surrounded by her family. In her own words, she has "gone on to [her] next adventure" perhaps to the stars, perhaps to another life, or perhaps to simple peace.
Born in Lausanne, Switzerland, on October 13, 1950, Lorraine lived a life rich with courage, adventure, and connection. At seventeen, she left home for London to work as an au pair and learn English, followed by a year in Germany mastering German and thriving in the industrial heart of Frankfurt. Even early on, she approached life with humor and grace, seeing every challenge as a lesson and every stranger as a possible friend.
Her journey eventually led her to the United States, first to Bethesda, Maryland, where she supported the daily living needs of a diplomat's wife who was paraplegic, and then to Washington, D.C., where she served as the receptionist at the Embassy of Switzerland. There she met the love of her life, Wayne Tvrdik. The two married on March 2, 1975, beginning a partnership filled with love, laughter, and shared adventure that would span five decades and many moves from New York to Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Norway, Switzerland, and finally Connecticut. Lorraine became an American Citizen on July 1, 1994.
Lorraine and Wayne welcomed three children: Marc, who passed away as an infant; Lucas; and Celia. She was also the proud grandmother of her granddaughter, Noelle Meyer, whose light brought her endless joy. Lorraine is also survived by her son-in-law, Wesley Meyer, sister Carole Rosset and brother-in-law Roland Rosset, her brother Raynald Monnier and sister-in-law Rita Monnier, and her brother Yves Monnier. She remained close to her nieces and nephews, Gil, Stéphanie, Natasha, Alex, Basil, and Michael, following their lives and accomplishments with great interest and affection.
Her professional life was as diverse as her travels, from international business roles in Europe at Norsik Hydro Trading to a deeply rewarding career in human resources supporting teachers and coaches at Brookfield School District in Connecticut. She retired in 2014 after 18 years of service, known for her sharp mind, unshakable integrity, and the warmth she brought to every encounter.
In 2021, Lorraine and Wayne traded their Roxbury home of 32 years for a bright, beautiful condo by the beach in Madison, where she continued to live fully, hosting friends, tending to neighbors, and savoring sunsets by the shore.
Lorraine was never one to sit still. She poured her energy into her community, volunteering with hospice and literacy programs at the Guilford Community Center, baking tirelessly for the Madison Police Department (who affectionately considered her their "Official Baker"), and finding ways big and small to lift others up. She believed in giving back, connecting deeply, and learning endlessly.
Lorraine's family wishes to express their profound appreciation to the Yale New Haven Health System for the exceptional care that granted her cherished additional time with those she loved. They are especially thankful to her longtime pulmonologist, Dr. Singh, whose dedication and compassion sustained her through the years, and to the ICU teams at Yale New Haven Hospital, whose expertise and kindness supported her, and her family, through every stay. True to her spirit of generosity and curiosity, Lorraine donated her body to the Yale School of Medicine, offering one final gift of learning. Her family will honor her life privately, on the beach she loved so dearly.
Lorraine leaves behind a legacy of kindness, courage, and a belief that falling down is just part of living, what matters most is getting up again. She would want us all to dream boldly, love fiercely, and never let anyone tell us that we "cannot do it."
Her Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held in the Spring of 2026.
Born in Lausanne, Switzerland, on October 13, 1950, Lorraine lived a life rich with courage, adventure, and connection. At seventeen, she left home for London to work as an au pair and learn English, followed by a year in Germany mastering German and thriving in the industrial heart of Frankfurt. Even early on, she approached life with humor and grace, seeing every challenge as a lesson and every stranger as a possible friend.
Her journey eventually led her to the United States, first to Bethesda, Maryland, where she supported the daily living needs of a diplomat's wife who was paraplegic, and then to Washington, D.C., where she served as the receptionist at the Embassy of Switzerland. There she met the love of her life, Wayne Tvrdik. The two married on March 2, 1975, beginning a partnership filled with love, laughter, and shared adventure that would span five decades and many moves from New York to Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Norway, Switzerland, and finally Connecticut. Lorraine became an American Citizen on July 1, 1994.
Lorraine and Wayne welcomed three children: Marc, who passed away as an infant; Lucas; and Celia. She was also the proud grandmother of her granddaughter, Noelle Meyer, whose light brought her endless joy. Lorraine is also survived by her son-in-law, Wesley Meyer, sister Carole Rosset and brother-in-law Roland Rosset, her brother Raynald Monnier and sister-in-law Rita Monnier, and her brother Yves Monnier. She remained close to her nieces and nephews, Gil, Stéphanie, Natasha, Alex, Basil, and Michael, following their lives and accomplishments with great interest and affection.
Her professional life was as diverse as her travels, from international business roles in Europe at Norsik Hydro Trading to a deeply rewarding career in human resources supporting teachers and coaches at Brookfield School District in Connecticut. She retired in 2014 after 18 years of service, known for her sharp mind, unshakable integrity, and the warmth she brought to every encounter.
In 2021, Lorraine and Wayne traded their Roxbury home of 32 years for a bright, beautiful condo by the beach in Madison, where she continued to live fully, hosting friends, tending to neighbors, and savoring sunsets by the shore.
Lorraine was never one to sit still. She poured her energy into her community, volunteering with hospice and literacy programs at the Guilford Community Center, baking tirelessly for the Madison Police Department (who affectionately considered her their "Official Baker"), and finding ways big and small to lift others up. She believed in giving back, connecting deeply, and learning endlessly.
Lorraine's family wishes to express their profound appreciation to the Yale New Haven Health System for the exceptional care that granted her cherished additional time with those she loved. They are especially thankful to her longtime pulmonologist, Dr. Singh, whose dedication and compassion sustained her through the years, and to the ICU teams at Yale New Haven Hospital, whose expertise and kindness supported her, and her family, through every stay. True to her spirit of generosity and curiosity, Lorraine donated her body to the Yale School of Medicine, offering one final gift of learning. Her family will honor her life privately, on the beach she loved so dearly.
Lorraine leaves behind a legacy of kindness, courage, and a belief that falling down is just part of living, what matters most is getting up again. She would want us all to dream boldly, love fiercely, and never let anyone tell us that we "cannot do it."
Her Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held in the Spring of 2026.
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