Lorraine "Lori" Brickman

Lorraine "Lori" Brickman, devoted educator, advocate, friend, mother, and grandmother, died Mar. 3 at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City from complications of ovarian cancer. Lori had shown no symptoms of cancer prior to her diagnosis just four weeks before her passing. She was 76.

Lori grew up in the loving and artistic Detroit home of her parents: Bill Mathers, a big band jazz drummer (who led his band despite having lost his eyesight completely when Lori was just a child), and Joyce Mathers, an autodidact who played the piano by ear and delighted in writing romance stories and painting scenes from her imagination. Her brother, Bradly, was born several years after Lori and was the first person to benefit from her fierce loyalty and protection. Lori took neighborhood bullies to task, marking the beginning of a lifetime of her advocacy for others. Growing up in the home of a highly capable father with a disability taught Lori to never underestimate anyone, and to stand up for those who were underestimated by others. Her parents had high expectations of their children, and though they were of humble means, they were always encouraging and supportive of her pursuits.

Lori attended Mackenzie High School in Detroit, where she sang in the choir and was active in the Spanish club. Her Spanish teacher, Miss Rose, took a particular interest in Lori. Upon learning that no one in her family had attended college or knew how to help her take that important step, Miss Rose drove Lori to Wayne State University to help ensure that she would be enrolled. This experience was transformative for Lori - demonstrating that a caring teacher could be the single thing that would forever change a student's life for the better and inspiring her to want to be that change for other kids who needed a champion.

All this time, a young Ralph Brickman was growing up just three blocks away. Ralph and Lori attended the same grade school and the same high school but didn't meet until the night of Lori's junior prom, when Ralph was a freshman at Wayne State University and a mutual friend invited him to join them for dinner at a pizzeria. That was the beginning of their friendship and courtship. Four years later, they were married on August 19, 1967, while both were enrolled at Wayne State. For over 56 years, Lori was not only Ralph's wife but his best friend.

Lori received a bachelor's and master's degree in education from Wayne State University, and devoted her career to various roles within the Wayne-Westland Community School District. She started out in the central office as the director of special projects, and retired in September of 2002 after having served as the assistant principal at John Glenn High School for many years. She loved working with and supporting the success of students. Her commitment to treating people with dignity and respect, and meeting them where they are, meant that she was often the safe space for students who did not have that at home. She had a special gift for keeping calm and level-headed to help students and faculty stay grounded and sort through any challenges that came their way. This gift was also essential to her role as mother and grandmother.

Lori was a devoted, loving mother to her two children, Scott and Elicia. Despite long work days, she always made time for them and made them special things like clothes, toys, and costumes. During summer breaks, the family took long road trips that were formative for Scott's and Elicia's appreciation of travel and adventure, camping, and the outdoors. She taught her children to get out of their bubble to see the world, be curious, and celebrate the essential qualities and aspirations shared across all of humanity. She was an inspiration to her children and grandchildren, giving her love and support generously and unconditionally.

Post-retirement, Lori essentially had a second career as a community volunteer and advocate in her new home in Traverse City. She and Ralph volunteered for the Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity, traveling to provide aid after natural disasters, including an extended stint in Biloxi, Miss., after Hurricane Katrina. She was elected to the Peninsula Community Library Board for three terms, and was running for a fourth term, devoted to ensuring that the Old Mission Peninsula maintained this essential community gathering place. She volunteered at the Women's Resource Center in TC, and for local Democratic candidates, canvassing and petitioning. She was passionate about and devoted herself to protecting human rights: voting rights, women's rights, reproductive rights, and shelter and dignity for the houseless. Her environmental commitment was evident in her frugal and thoughtful lifestyle as well as in her and Ralph's decision to work with the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy to ensure most of their land is preserved for future generations in perpetuity.

Lorraine is survived by her husband, Ralph Brickman; children Scott (Johanna) and Elicia (Ryan); her five grandchildren, Aleena Tapani, Emma Tapani, Sylvie Brickman, Maja Tapani, and Ruben Brickman; and her brother, Bradly Mathers, and his three children.

A Celebration of Life will be held May 25, from 2-4 PM at the Traverse City Elks Lodge, 625 Bay St, Traverse City. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in Lorraine's name to the Cherryland Humane Society or to the Friends of Peninsula Community Library.