Lorraine Herdeen

Lorraine (Lorry) Herdeen died peacefully in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at the age of 78. She was born on August 25, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York and like so many other New Yorkers, made her way to South Florida for a slice of paradise. There she continued her career in early childhood development working at the Florence Fuller Child Development Center (FFCDC), ultimately working her way up to the Executive Director role.

During her 36-year tenure, FFCDC grew from serving 60 children at the east Boca Raton center to serving over 625 children at the east center and expansion center in west Boca Raton. She led FFCDC to its first full accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and to the successful partnership with the National Heads Start and Early Head Start Program. She advocated for the safety of her children and was instrumental in the successful fight to have the no-drug school zone law extended to childcare centers in Florida, previously only applying to public elementary, middle, and high schools.

Following her 36-year career serving the under privileged children of Palm Beach County, she retired long enough to realize she sorely missed serving people in need and was eventually appointed as the Executive Director of St. Laurence Chapel Homeless Shelter. A position she held for three years. Under her leadership the shelter converted from a day shelter to an overnight shelter.

Once she retired for the second time, she focused on being a doting grandmother and great grandmother. She was an active and dedicated member of St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church and enjoyed painting and writing.

She is survived by her adoring family including her husband, Fred, of 39 years, daughters Laurie and Tami, and their spouses Marc and Barbara, step-daughter Kathryn, step-son Michael and wife Jennifer, sister Carolyn, brother Robert, grandchildren David and Alexa and their spouses Taylor and Hunter, Jonathan, Hannah and Eleanor, and all of her amazing great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, sisters and brothers-in-law, and a long list of beautiful, lifelong friends from all walks of life.

A celebration of her life is scheduled for 2:00 pm, Saturday, March 12th at the Episcopal Church of St. Mary Magdalene and St. Martin in Coral Springs, Florida, with a reception to follow in the Parish Hall. In addition, the service will be live streamed through the church Facebook page or on YouTube for virtual attendees.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate or volunteer your time at the charity of your choice. Or you can donate money or time to some of Lorry’s favorite charities: St. Jude, United Way, American Red Cross, or Saint Mary Magdalene Church.

The family would also like to thank her many caregivers and hospital staff for their efforts and dedication to the care of our beloved Lorry.