Lorraine Levy

There are those that say they will do and those that do. Lorraine was the ‘doer.’ Born and raised in Edinburgh Scotland to her parents, John and Ella Gray. For years she took Ballet and loved the country she was raised in. She always said, you can take the girl out of the country but not the country, out of the girl. In this case, she always referred to Scotland. Graduating in Scotland, from Calendar Park in the field of Education, she continued her education in the specialization of 3-7 year olds. She leaves many cousins and an Aunt whom she loved dearly and communicated with on a regular basis. She also leaves two nieces, Erin Fortenberry Boucher and Ellen Idler.

She came to the States in 1970 and immediately set off to be a ‘doer’. Lorraine taught in the Spring School District at Reynolds Elementary and then Jenkins Elementary Kindergarten when that school opened its doors. She was selected two different times in her 25 year career, as the school’s Teacher of the Year. Professionally, there was nothing she loved more than teaching. Her family was always her primary concern and her boys, Ryan and Sean, the apples of her eyes. She was blessed with two great and strong women, as the daughters she never had, but finally, through the boy’s marriages- Jennifer and Katie. And then, the apples of her life, in the way of grandchildren, reignited that teaching gene in her. Benjamin and Rebekah were that new spark. A new driver came that helped regain her determination to fight the challenges she had. Sean and Katie announced their new addition to come in May. Lorraine now felt her life was complete in her wants and desires. The baby will be Delaney Gwen (after Gwendoline, Lorraine’s first name). Lorraine was overwhelmed with that. Her new goal was to get to May. She was a ‘doer’ with goals.

Lorraine also took on Scouting with both her boys and was den leader for their dens. She had a number of them reach the rank of Eagle Scout. In another teaching moment, she continued as a ‘doer.’

In 1990 she contracted Breast Cancer. She fought it and became a survivor. She was a ‘doer.’ In 2011, as a result of the chemo, in her fight with Breast Cancer, she contracted Multiple Myeloma. Another challenge. As a ‘doer,’ she undertook a Stem Cell Transplant that put her in remission for 4 ½ years. This time, in 2016, she contracted MDS, a pre cursor to Leukemia. She continued to be the ‘doer’ we had all come to know her as. Then after a failed Stem Cell Transplant in February that entailed her staying down the hospital area for over 100 days, the MDS turned into the more violent, AML (leukemia). Lorraine nicknamed herself as the ‘Sr. Mutant Ninja Warrior’ to continue her fight against these cancers. Her loving and continued support from her sister and brother in law, Gail and Gary, were an essential comfort to her. On Thursday, January 17th, 2019, she lost her fight. She could ‘do’ no more.

Lorraine instilled the greatest traits that people should have. Her integrity and character were unquestionable. Her loyalty and ability to keep things confidential, (whether asked too or not,) were just part of that character. Her sense of humor was remarkable as was her love and compassion. She picked the perfect profession, as exemplified in her love for children. There was no stop in her fight. Her supporters and nurses at the ATC on the tenth floor at MD Anderson, literally adopted her. So many to thank there for their love, dedication and interest in her progress. Bubbly and positive and always with a smile, Lorraine met them almost every other day for a treatment of some kind. She was a ‘doer’. They became her extended family. We will all need their expertise and calmness along our journeys. Lorraine was truly a Sr. Mutant Ninja Turtle Warrior. Lorraine’s support from her ‘band of Warriors’ that showered her with love and best wishes daily would overcome her almost daily. Lorraine could ‘do’ no more. As a family, we hope that there is something that occurs in your daily routines, that remind you of Lorraine’s kindness, quietness, and humbleness. Please continue to share her life as a ‘doer’. As her husband, friend, confidant, I was truly blessed.

In lieu of flowers she asked for people to bring a backpack with school supplies, so we can donate to kids that are less fortunate.

Or she asked for a donation to either St. Jude, Wounded Warriors, Salvation Army, Shriners, Samaritan’s Purse, or a pet charity.