Ada Lorraine Wagner

On May 12, 2018, Ada Lorraine Wagner, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, peacefully passed away at the Sherman Home of the Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix, AZ. Her husband, daughter, and son were by her side.

Lorraine was born November 29, 1944 in Iowa City, Iowa, and had a fantastic childhood. Even as a baby, upon first meeting her, her Uncle Everett described her as having an inner happiness. Her adolescent years were full of education, fun and travel.

As she entered adulthood, she continued to embark upon her storybook life, full of wonderful adventures. Her love for learning continued and she had a passion for passing along her learning to others. This passion strengthened as she embarked on her teaching career in 1966. One of her proudest moments was working two times each week during the school year with a 4th grade student who could not read at 1st grade level. By May, the student was able to read at 4th grade level and Lorraine never forgot the student’s face when he said “I can read!”.

On July 5, 1968, while on a Hawaiian vacation, she was led to her true soul mate, Chuck, at the Garden Bar at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki. Chuck and Lorraine were married on June 14, 1969, and remained a devoted team the rest of her life. In 1974 and 1977, Chuck and Lorraine were blessed with the births of Laura Renée and Steven Charles.

Lorraine was bright, vivacious, friendly and welcoming. She took great pride in, and exceled at, making a house into a home. Birthdays and anniversaries of others were important to her, something to be acknowledged and celebrated. She sent hundreds of cards each year, some handmade, and always with a heartfelt note or article inside. She religiously sent thank you cards.

Until 2009, Lorraine went to Mayo Clinic for her annual physicals with no remarkable medical issues or concerns. Then her medical condition took a turn for the worse with several conditions that couldn’t be cured. Lorraine consistently reminded herself to stay positive, keep her chin up, stand strong and fight on.

Lorraine is preceded in death by her mother, Frances, her father, William, and her brother, William. She is survived by her husband, Chuck, her daughter, Laura, her son, Steve, her son-in-law, Sean, grandsons, Colin and Gavin, and her sisters, Jeannine and Michelle.

A private celebration of life will be held on Thursday, May 17, 2018 at 3 pm at East Lawn Palms Mortuary & Cemetery in Tucson, AZ. In lieu of flowers, Lorraine has asked that donations be made in her memory to her favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.