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BORN
1933
DIED
2019
Lorraine Kavanagh Obituary
May 18, 1933 ~ May 24, 2019
Resident of Albany, California
Our beloved Lorraine passed from this life into the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in heaven on May 24, 2019. She died of natural causes with her eldest son Ken and wife Cindy at her side, having loved and served family and friends for 86 years. Lorraine was a loving woman of faith and a prayer warrior who constantly lifted up her family and friends. Her heart was continually directed toward others and led her to offer words of kindness to total strangers, with the intent of sharing her life and faith, thus creating a friend. She was the Matriarch of her family, respected and revered for her unfailing love for others. She will ever be remembered for kind words and deeds, smiles and jokes she shared, each offered to encourage the heart of those who's path she crossed. Her kindness took many forms, whether opening her home to those in need, praying for an unborn child, or sharing her famous potato pancakes.
Lorraine is preceded in death by her father Malcolm Douglas and mother Pauline Douglas, her first and only love Mike Kavanagh, and her nephew Doug Hoffman, and many beloved cousins. She is survived by her five children: Kathi Hendrickson (husband Gary); Ken Kavanagh (Cindy); Steve Kavanagh (Bev); Polly Fedelin, son-in-law Art Fedelin; daughter Mimi Burrow (Don). She is also survived by her sister Sue Hoffman, whom she loved dearly, nephew Allen and niece Lori. She had a special place in her heart as well for the Ruskofsky clan, for the love shared between them from her earliest years.
She was a loving Gramma with a special place in her heart for all her grandchildren: Joey Castaneda (Roxanne); Amber, April, and Matt Kavanagh, Brandon Kavanagh, Lorrena Fedelin, Shelby Burrow, and her great-grandson Jason Kavanagh.
Lorraine leaves many special friends on this earth, including lifelong best friend of 73 years Betsy Wittsell, who she met in the seventh grade in Berkeley, and her daughters Karen and Marcy. She was a long-time member of Community Alliance Church, where she developed many friends, including special friend Carol Chastain.
Her family and friends will sorely miss Lorraine's presence here on earth but look forward to our joyous reunion with her in heaven. Many of us have that hope because Lorraine first shared hers with us.
A celebration of Lorraine's life will be held on Sat. July 27th at noon at Community Alliance Church, 2375 Aberdeen Way, Richmond CA. There will be a reception to follow.
View the online memorial for Lorraine J. Kavanagh
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Memories and Condolences
for Lorraine Kavanagh
Sponsored by East Bay Times.
Charlene Hendrickson
July 27, 2019
Lorraine was a wonderful great grandma to Shayla. She will miss her grandma GG. She had a loving personality. I will miss her. My condolences to my mother in law Kathi and her sister Mimi and daughter Shelby.
July 23, 2019
My name is Yi(Grace). I'm writing this letter to share my and my family's loving memories of Lorraine a kind and caring neighbor who warmed our hearts, and a sister in Christ that strengthened our faith.
Lorraine was our neighbor during the few years that we lived in Albany. When we moved to Canada in 2011, Lorraine kindly adopted our cat, Damao, and treated him as a member of her family. We were so grateful to see Damao found a new home with Lorraine and her cat Tiggertoo and thrived under their care and company.
After we moved we exchanged emails with Lorraine once in a while. In those emails she kept us updated of Damao, and she also cared how our family was doing in Canada and always sent us heart-warming and encouraging words. We were especially touched when she shared her faith with us. We could really see she keeps a close relationship with God and she is never tired of sharing her faith with others.
When my mom heard that I was going to write this letter, she urged me to write the following for her. "She was a wonderful lady. I will miss her!" Mom said. My mom lives in Beijing. She still has fond memories of her interaction with Lorraine when she came from China to visit us. Mom said every time when they saw each other at the front yard, Lorraine would always came over from the other side of the street just to give her a big and hearty hug. Even though they didn't understand each other's language, my mom felt like they could communicate perfectly well with smiles and gestures. Kindness and friendliness did not need any translation.
We will all miss you Lorraine. Rest in peace in heaven. We thank God for having put you in our lives. You were truly a blessing to us all.
Christine Fresquez
July 21, 2019
She was my Mamacita. She was the kindest, most genuine person I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. I met her when I was 11 years old when me and Mimi became friends and she accepted me and became a second mom to me. No matter what path life took me on, wrong or right, she never judged me instead she loved me more and never made me feel like I was a bad person. When I lost my mom she was one of the first people to help me and pray with me and even took me and my daughter in when we had no place to go. I know I drove her crazy at times, but still, she loved me through it and never gave up on me. I grew up believing in the Lord, but my faith and love for the Lord is from the things she taught me. Me and her daughter Mimi have been friends for years and she too has always been a rock for me and has always been there for me and I see so much of my Mamacita in her. I will forever keep her in my heart and not a day will go by that I don't thank the Lord for bringing such a beautiful, kind soul into my life. I had so many good times with her. She loved to watch old movies and we would stay up late watching them and eating our junk food. We loved to eat and loved talking about food even more. Life on earth will never be the same without her. Thank you for loving me, Mamacita and for making me a better person. Rest in Heaven. I love you always❤
Deborah Anderson
July 21, 2019
She's a caring and beautiful lady who always would listen and pray with me and for me. Encouraging and inspiring women of God.I have missed her at Church.I know I will see you again, My Friend and Sister in Christ.And I can only imagine what she can imagine now. She is healed and whole in the presence of Jesus.Love and Hugs...
Paula Eeds
July 21, 2019
Lorraine was a very kind, loving & Godly woman. She will be missed by all.
Karen Hendrickson
July 21, 2019
Very kind lady God took another angel home
Mimi Burrow
July 21, 2019
I miss you more and more every day that passes Mom! I never would have been ready to let you go. Forever I will be your baby.
Mimi
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