LORRAINE I. PARRIS

The Lord took another angel home on June 1, 2024, when Lorraine I. Parris, 97, of Alpena, passed away.

Lorraine was born to Andrew and Clara Gaffney on April 19, 1927, in Saginaw. She was the oldest of three children and while growing up she attended S. S. Peter and Paul school in Saginaw making a lot of friends that got together years later for a neighborhood block party.

She met the love of her life George Lee Parris during leap year in 1956 where she proposed to him, and they married on Sept. 15. While making their home in Rogers City raising their children, Lorraine was active in Girl Scouts and served as Brownie Leader for several years. She was also a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and a member of the West Minister Presbyterian Church where she served as deacon and guild member.

In 1974, George retired with Lorraine to Grand Lake where they enjoyed traveling, boating, fishing, playing spitzer at the Grand Lake Lounge, attend The Grand Lake Community Chapel and Alpena CB Club.

Both George and Lorraine accepted the position of caretakes at The Old Presque Isle Lighthouse and Museum making that their summer home in 1977. Where they created a museum full of history and storytelling. Visitors were made to feel welcome, and Lorraine still corresponded with many of them. Lorraine loved to have school groups come out and she had a chance to surprise students by blowing the fog horns and allowing them all the chance to experience history by touching all the artifacts. Then after George’s death in 1992, she continued there until her retirement in 2001.

After retirement, she became an active volunteer at the Huron Lights Gift Shop and the Great Lake Lighthouse Festival and Museum. She moved to Alpena in 2005 making lots of friends at Riverview Apartments, DBSA, and First United Methodist Church helping with the children’s program and fish fries. Lorraine loved to ride the float for the Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival wearing her Time era gown and blowing a handheld foghorn.

Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents, sister Edith Potter, brother Andrew Gaffney Jr., her husband George Parris, daughter Claran Boylan, and great-grandson Richy Rutka. She is survived by her family Jhon aka Butch, Cathy, Clarence (Denise), Alvin, Alice and Gary Boylan. Lorraine has nine grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Lorraine’s life will be held on Sunday, June 9, at McWilliams Funeral Home from 2 p.m. until the time of the service at 4 p.m. with the Rev. Gene Bacon officiating. Per Lorraine’s wishes, everyone is encouraged to wear lighthouse apparel or a pin. Interment: Ocqueoc Twp. Cemetery