Lorraine Frances DeMedeiros

Lorraine Frances DeMedeiros Homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother Lorraine DeMedeiros, 93, of Tulare, died Wednesday, May 1, 2013. Lorraine DeMedeiros was born October 4, 1919, in Jersey City, New Jersey, to Stanley and Sophia Minowicz. She was the second of five children. She attended St. Anne's Catholic School and William Dickinson High School. After graduation, she worked for several years as a secretary on Wall Street for the Bridgeford Meat Company. She joined the U.S. Navy on October 6, 1942 to become a member of the first group of Waves. She completed her training course with a 3.9 average and worked the archives of Washington D.C. documenting military missions and troop movements. This was so classified that she had a two Marine escort at all times. While in the service, she met her future husband George DeMedeiros. It was a unique courtship. They had a few dances, and no dates. She discovered his name in the archives and dropped him "a line". They corresponded for 2 years, got engaged through letters, and saw each other just a few days before the wedding. After seeing him twice, they were married in Los Banos, California. They were married for fifty six years until George's death in 2001. Lorraine lived with George at Camp Pendleton until the end of the war when they moved to Los Banos for a few years. From there they moved to Fullerton where she worked as a secretary for Hunts. When her husband, George, became the CEO of DCCA, she moved to Tulare in 1954. She became a full time homemaker. With three children, she stayed busy tending house, cooking fabulous meals every day, and working in her yard which was her passion. She volunteered at St. Aloysius School and served a year as president of Parent's Club while her 3 children attended school. The Dairy world of DCCA was a large part of her life as she attended accompanied her husband to his many meetings and functions. George always referred to them as a "team". She met many interesting people, made many friends and had wonderful adventures. She remembered this with fondness. When her children were grown she and George traveled extensively with friends in their RV. Later she and George spent their time between Tulare and the coast. She loved the ocean and the cool climate. Lorraine took on the roll of grandmother with joy. She created many wonderful memories with her baking, beach trips, fishing trips, and trips to airports, fire stations, playgrounds and duck ponds. She recently attended a gathering with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She talked about it fondly and often. Lorraine was loved by all who knew her. She will be missed, but memories of her will live on. Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley and Sophia Minowicz, her brothers Frank, Edward, and Leonard Minowicz, her sister Estelle Minowicz and her loving husband George DeMedeiros. Lorraine is survived by her daughters Elaine Bender and husband Bob of Tulare, Collette Kirker and husband Howard of Fremont, son Mark DeMedeiros of Fresno; grandchildren Jason Bender of Tulare, Julie Hayes Ryman of Arcata, Robbie Hayes of Castro Valley, Shane DeMedeiros and wife Courtney, Josh DeMedeiros and wife Jamie, and Danielle DeMedeiros Barry and husband Sheldon, Kellie and Courtney DeMedeiros of Fresno; great-grandchildren Lily and Nai'a Ryman, Alexa and Ava Hayes, Luke, Logan, and Kennedy DeMedeiros and Noelle Barry and scattered nieces and nephews in California and on the East Coast. Visitation will be Wednesday, May 8th; 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Miller's Tulare Funeral Home and the Recitation of the Rosary and Mass of the Resurrection will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 9th at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 125 East Pleasant Ave. with burial at Tulare District Cemetery. Donations in remembrance may be made to St. Aloysius School Memorial Fund, 627 Beatrice Drive, Tulare, CA 93274. Correspondence may be sent to PO Box 1019, Tulare, CA 93275. Arrangements are entrusted to Miller's Tulare Funeral Home.