It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lorraine T. Sidelinger on November 20, 2024, at the age of 76.
Lorraine, born in Montreal, Canada in 1948, was adopted by the late Alfred and Lillian (Germain). She grew up in Johnston, RI and graduated from Johnston Senior High School.
She spent most of her life as a legal secretary, working for various law firms. She retired in 2011 from John N. Calvino Law Associates.
Lorraine was always a champion for social justice issues. She attended many marches from New York to Washington for a variety of causes. She was involved at The Rhode Island Community Food Bank, and ran the Oil Savers Group, a co-operative that provided low cost oil to its members and nonprofit organizations. She volunteered at South County Hospital, where she managed their gift shop, and most recently she became involved with the MAE Organization, where she cooked and served meals to the homeless.
In addition to her various volunteering experiences, Lorraine also had many hobbies. She was an avid reader, who loved a good Agatha Christie mystery. She also loved quilting, knitting, crocheting, crafting, and photography. In more recent years she became interested in genealogy and as a result of her diligence and “detective” work she was able to find her eight half-siblings in Ottawa, Canada, who she was thankfully able to connect with before her passing.
She is survived by her proud and loving family: children David (Michelle) Sidelinger, Amy (Mark) Simoes, Nancy Maglione, and beloved grandchildren, Max, Lilah, Sam, Nick and Drew. Lorraine also leaves behind her half-siblings Gus Bergeron (Chantal), Louise Desjardins (Daniel), Roger Bergeron (Charlene), Michel Bergeron (Maryann), Denise Guenette (Francois), Francine Berube (Frank), Donald Bergeron (Barabra).
Lorraine would like to thank the oncology staff at both South County Hospital and the Dana- Farber Cancer Institute as well as her nurses and CNAs from Hope Health for their care.
Lorraine is donating her body to The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, so the family will not be holding memorial services at this time but instead will be holding a private celebration of life for her closest friends and family.
Donations in her memory may be made to the MAE Organization 1221 Reservoir Ave, Cranston, RI 02920.
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