Lorraine Lawrence

Lorraine (Flor) Lawrence, age 80, of New Bedford, passed away Sunday, September 17, 2023 surrounded by her loving family at home after a brief illness. She was the devoted wife of Stuart A. Lawrence, to whom she was married for 61 years.

Lorraine was born in New Bedford and remained a lifelong resident of the city. She was the daughter of the late Manuel deOrnellas Flor and Agnes (Gonsalves) Flor. Lorraine graduated from New Bedford High School and earned her Bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Massachusetts University, now University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. She majored in Education and Portuguese, finishing at the top of her class.

Lorraine was a retired elementary school teacher and literacy coach for the New Bedford School Department. Teaching children was one of her greatest joys, and it was her mission to make each and every student feel special.

One of her greatest pleasures came from being in service to others. Lorraine was a woman of faith who loved the Lord, her family, church, and community. She was a loyal member of the First Church of the Nazarene where she was a past board member, volunteer, and choir singer. Above all, Lorraine’s greatest love was her family. Nothing brought her more joy than spending time with her husband, two daughters, and three granddaughters, to whom she was an integral part of their upbringing. Her kindness and unconditional love was felt by all of her friends and family.

Lorraine is survived by her husband, Stuart A. Lawrence; two daughters, Stephanie A. Lawrence Bernier, along with her life partner Robert Valentim, and Elizabeth A. Mcgrath, along with her husband Thomas; three granddaughters Renée, Paige, and Ava Bernier; two nieces Tracey Gatheral and Bethany Nickerson; three nephews Raymond Gatheral, Michael Gatheral, and Thomas Nickerson; in addition to several great nieces and nephews. Lorraine was the sister of the late Dorothy Gatheral and Patricia Nickerson Flor.

Her private arrangements are in the care of Rock Funeral Home in New Bedford. To place an online tribute, please visit www.rock-funeralhome.com