Lorraine M. Laurie

WORCESTER-Lorraine M. Laurie, 73, affectionately known as the “Mayor of Green Island” passed away Wednesday, March 6, 2024, in St. Francis Nursing Center.

Lorraine was the Residential Service Coordinator at the Village of Ascension Heights, prior to that she worked for the Green Island Community Development Center. Lorraine spent her entire life giving back to the City of Worcester in countless ways, but particularly to her beloved neighborhood of Green Island. She worked tirelessly advocating for the betterment of the little part of the City she called home for her entire life. She also worked closely with the Worcester Police Department and their Crime Watch programs. She was the proud author of “The Island That Became a Neighborhood: A History of Green Island in Worcester, 1826-1985”. She was a member of the Guild of Our Lady of Providence, St. John’s Church, the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Div #36, Preservation Worcester, one of the coordinators of the Kelley Square Christmas Lighting, the Ascension Alumni Association, Daughters of Isabella, and a board member of Ascension Heights Community. In addition to numerous awards from the City of Worcester, she also received the Odd Fellows Arthritis Award and the Worcester Public Schools Community Service Award.

Lorraine leaves several cousins, among them Matthew Wright of Worcester and many dear friends, among them, Sean Lovely, Patricia LaCross and Dottie Hargrove. She was born in Worcester, daughter of the late, Theodore R. and Gennie A. (Ciuksza) Laurie and graduated from Anna Marie College. 

Visiting Hours are Tuesday, March 12 from 4 to 7pm at Callahan Fay Caswell Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle St. A Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, March 13 at 10am in St. John’s Church. Burial will follow in Hope Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. John’s Food Pantry or to the Green Island Neighborhood Center, 50 Canton St., Worcester, 01610.