Lorraine M. Parton

1927 - 2023

Lorraine M. Parton, 95, of Bethlehem, passed away peacefully on January 8, 2023, in her home.

Born on September 8, 1927, she was a daughter of the late Caspar and Elsie (Pum) Pfeffer.

A member of Boyer One Room School House's Class of 1941, Lorraine and her classmates were the final class to graduate from the school.

Following her formal education, Lorraine went on to hold a career as a secretary, serving fifteen years as Executive Secretary with Sheridan Machine, then three years at Sacred Heart Rectory.

Lorraine loved being outdoors, and had a passion for skiing, biking, roller skating, and tending to her tulip garden into her late seventies. She also loved her regular shopping trips to Hess's in Allentown with her daughter, Tricia. Lorraine especially enjoyed hosting family gatherings in her backyard, and always made sure there was an Easton Baking cake to celebrate the most recent milestone achieved by someone in the family.

After the passing of her first husband, Lorraine found love again with her late second husband, Elmer. They shared a love that most people only see in movies and dream of experiencing. Elmer treated his "Miss America" like a princess. They found each other through their passion for music in their church choir and their family remembers how they expressed their love through song, including their nightly ritual of singing to each other before bed. They lived life to the fullest and traveled the world together.

Above all else, Lorraine loved her grandchildren, or "honey bunches," as she called them. She was a fierce supporter of their every endeavor, attending countless sporting events and school functions. Lorraine and Elmer documented many of these events with their video camera, preserving these special moments for future generations. Her love for them was also evident in cooking: Her grandchildren recall the special meals she would prepare for them, always served with extra care. Some favorites include chicken noodle soup, mac-n-cheese, and her famous pepper pot.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her first husband, James W. Reiser, who passed away in 1988, and her second husband: Elmer A. Parton, who passed away in 2012.

Lorraine will be lovingly remembered by two sons: James W. Reiser, Jr., who cared for his mom for twelve years while she battled Alzheimer's disease, and Robert T. Reiser (Janelle); her daughter: Patricia Eichlin (Tom); six grandchildren: Emme and Anee Reiser, Christopher McAtee (Taylor), Rory McAtee (Liz), Brigid McAtee, and Patrick McAtee (Jacqueline); her great-granddaughter, whom she welcomed this past Thanksgiving: Nora Meucci; one brother: Gilbert C. Pfeffer; and two sisters: Geraldine Schaffer and Patricia Lallas (Gary).

A viewing will be held at the Connell Funeral Home, Inc., 245 East Broad Street, Bethlehem, on Friday, January 20, 2023, from 9:30 until 10:30am. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1817 1st Street, Bethlehem.

Interment will follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery, Linden Street, Bethlehem.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in Lorraine's name, to Sacred Heart Catholic Church via the above address.

Lorraine's family wishes to thank Leslie and Mari, who assisted in her care from 2012 until 2018, as well as the care received from St. Luke's Hospice over the past few weeks.

To share condolences with Lorraine's family, visit www.connellfuneral.com.