Lorraine Brittan

April 8, 1927, to November 26, 2014

Lorraine Hill was born April 8, 1927, to Earnest (Arny) George Hill and Eva Hartiginen Hill in Manhattan in New York City. Arny worked in construction and carpentry and the family moved frequently during Lorraine’s childhood as her father followed where the work was. As a result, she changed schools 14 times. She lived in most of the burroughs of New York City, including the Bronx and Brooklyn. Lorraine had an older brother named Swanee, and when she was 17, her mother had a third child, her sister Jaye.

When Lorraine was 14, her parents bought a farm and moved to the countryside because they wanted to get away from city life. She learned to milk cows, gather chicken eggs, and take care of pigs, rabbits, and a horse.

In high school, Lorraine was an avid athlete, playing basketball and baseball. She even tried out for a women’s professional baseball team in the same league that the movie “A League of Their Own” was based on. Unfortunately, she badly injured her knee during a workout which ended her chances for professional sports. Lorraine graduated high school in 1945 and went on to work as a waitress.

In 1947, Lorraine met Risdon Brittan at a restaurant where she was waitressing. They dated for about a year and then were married in Ithaca, New York, on June 6, 1948. Riz was a professional trumpet player, and early on in their marriage, Riz and Lorraine went on the road together, traveling in a 27-foot trailer while Riz played with a number of big bands, including Billy Bishop, Johnny Long, Tony Pastor, Skitch Henderson and Vincent Lopez.

Riz and Lorraine had their first child, Rhonda, in 1951, and then David came along in 1955. Eight years later, Lorraine wanted to have two more children and Terry was born in 1963, but the doctors advised her against having any more children.

After the first two kids were born, Riz left the road playing with big bands, and the family settled down on Long Island. They lived in several cities there, including Levittown, Morgan’s Island (Glen Cove), and Garden City. Riz played frequently in New York City and also worked full time as a band teacher at Washington Street Elementary School while Lorraine stayed at home with the children. Lorraine also helped tremendously in being Riz’s “personal secretary,” answering phone calls, helping to keep his calendar, etc. She knew most of the musicians and contractors and always worked hard to promote and support Riz in any way she could.

Lorraine loved being a mom and especially enjoyed baking creative cakes for the kids’ birthdays. She also loved to play piano, sing, doodle, play tennis and play a mean game of ping pong with the kids.

Lorraine always had a cheerful disposition and a great sense of humor, enjoying playing occasional practical jokes on the kids. The family took many vacations together when Riz had the summers off from teaching school. Memorable trips included Mount Rushmore, San Francisco and visiting cousins in Mayfield in upstate New York. The family also began spending many summers in San Diego beginning in 1967.

In the 1970s, with the kids getting older and more independent, Lorraine went to work part time at the DMV. She also enjoyed singing with a musical group called the Sweet Adelines around that time.

In 1980, Riz retired from teaching school and the Brittans moved to San Diego, where Riz continued to play and teach trumpet which he still does today.

Lorraine is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Swanee Hill. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Riz Brittan; her sister, Jaye (Jamie) Showalter; her children, Rhonda Brittan (Jay Ellerbroek), David (Katie) Brittan, and Terry (Linda) Brittan; her granddaughters, Danielle (Caylan) Kolste and Danae Brittan; and her great-grandson, Maverick Kolste.

Friends and family are invited to an informal gathering celebrating Lorraine’s life to be held on Saturday, December 20, 2014 from 1pm – 3 pm, at her residence. Refreshments will be served.