Lorraine Nussel

1931 - 2021

Lorraine Nussel

07/04/1931 - 03/09/2021

Lorraine Nussel, longtime Toledo art educator and tennis volunteer, dies at 89.

Lorraine Rita (Varana) Nussel -- a beloved spouse, mother, educator, art lover and tennis fan -- passed away March 9, 2021, surrounded by family at her home in Sylvania, Ohio, after a long illness. She was 89.

Mrs. Nussel, the child of Polish immigrants, was born on the Fourth of July and her life personified the American dream. She spent most of her years taking care of everyone else and wanted almost nothing in return.

Lorraine Varana grew up near Detroit in Ecorse, Mich. She spent much of her early years working while her mother labored in local factories during World War II. After graduating from Ecorse High School in 1949, Mrs. Nussel became a secretary for Ecorse public schools.

It was there that she met a Detroit schoolteacher named Edward J. Nussel -- and they married six months later in 1953. The young couple eventually settled in Dearborn, Mich., where they began raising two boys. They moved to Toledo, Ohio, in 1964 and added a third son to their growing family.

Mrs. Nussel's lifetime of service began as a stay-at-home mother for her sons. She later enrolled in college classes and earned a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Toledo in 1978 – graduating with honors alongside her oldest son, Jay Nussel, at a commencement with her professor husband on the dais with the UT faculty.

In 1984, Mrs. Nussel began volunteering as a touring docent at The Toledo Museum of Art, where she combined her love of art with her passion for teaching. After more than a dozen years leading museum tours, she was named a "docent emeritus" by the museum. She also helped homebound Toledo residents by delivering Meals on Wheels for several years.

In her leisure time, Mrs. Nussel enjoyed bridge and spent decades playing the game with friends. She took up tennis in the early 1970s and played the game for more than 30 years, mostly at the former Laurel Hill Swim & Tennis Club in Toledo. She played "tennis mom" to two of her sons and three grandchildren who played at Laurel Hill.

Mrs. Nussel also volunteered for the United States Tennis Association and its local and regional affiliates. Her years of dedicated effort for the regional Midwest Tennis Association later earned her a spot as chairman of the USTA national awards committee, where she lovingly worked to improve the artistic quality of its trophies, plaques and other prizes.

The Nussels have been members of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Toledo for more than 56 years. All three of their sons and two of their grandchildren attended elementary school there.

As for her Fourth of July birthday, Mrs. Nussel was very proud of it. On her 75th birthday in 2006, she was featured in a story about July 4th birthdays published by The Toledo Blade. She told the newspaper that she cherished her freedom to criticize the government.

"That's part of our duty in this country," she told the newspaper. "I think patriotism is very important, and I don't hesitate to criticize the government or the President."

Mrs. Nussel was preceded in death by her mother, Regina Varana Moran, and her brother, Henry Varana. She is survived by Edward, her husband of more than 67 years; sons, Jay E. Nussel, and his spouse, Jill, of Linden, Mich., Gregory A. Nussel and his spouse, Vanessa, of San Antonio, Texas, and Philip G. Nussel of Saline, Mich. She also is survived by three grandchildren, Steven Nussel of Toledo; Laura West and spouse Brady West of Dexter, Mich., and Andrew Nussel of Saline, Mich.; along with great-grandchildren, Carter West and Everleigh West of Dexter.

In lieu of flowers, the Nussel family asks that donations be made in Lorraine Nussel's name to St. Pius X Catholic Church, 2950 Ilger Ave., Toledo, Ohio, 43606.

Visitation will be held 3-7 p.m. on Friday, March 12, at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave., Toledo, Ohio, 43623. A funeral Mass for Mrs. Nussel will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 13, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 2950 Ilger Ave., Toledo, Ohio, 43606.

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