Lorraine Marie Bettencourt (Gomes) went to her heavenly home on November 11, 2023, at the age of 89. Just 22 days shy of her 90th birthday. Lorraine was born in Visalia, California on December 4, 1933, to parents John and Mary Gomes as the eldest of three children. She passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family.
Lorraine was a devout Catholic, she lived by her faith and raised her family teaching and instilling their faith in them. Lorraine’s faith was strengthened by her daily watching of the Catholic Mass on the television. You knew not to call her in the mornings, because she was involved in the mass celebration. Lorraine was a soft spoken, kindhearted, loving mother, grandmother (VaVa), great grandmother and friend. She was the Visalia Portuguese Queen in 1947, where she meet her husband of 72 years, Joe Bettencourt. They were married in June of 1951. They lived in Whittier, California where they had a dairy, and welcomed their first three children into the world. After seven years, they sold the dairy and moved back to Visalia, California where they bought a small farm. They then welcomed their last three children into the family.
Along with building a life and raising a family alongside Joe, Lorraine’s passion was cooking! (and boy could she cook!) Once a close friend told her she could make soup from rocks taste good! Lorraine hosted many holiday gatherings, birthday parties, graduation parties, and Christmas open houses, which Lorraine prepared and cooked all the food. Her daughters would help prep and clean up, but Lorraine did all the cooking! (because she knew the girls would not do it how she liked it!) Lorraine also loved arranging flowers. From just a flower arrangement for a table to decorating the Catholic Church for Easter and Our Lady of Fatima Statue for the celebration for many years. She loved doing flowers and favors for family and friends’ weddings.
Lorraine also enjoyed spending time at their Pismo Beach house, which they had built together many years ago. Their house was always full of family and friends, and nobody ever left hungry! Especially during the Pismo Portuguese Celebration every August, and January to ring in the New Year. Lorraine also enjoyed traveling with family and friends to places like the Azores to visit relatives living there, and a Cabo Mexican cruise. Lorraine’s family grew with the addition of eleven grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren.
Lorraine was a proud member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Professed Member of St. Mary’s Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan order since 1989, Catholic Daughters, Luso American, and PFSA Lodge.
Lorraine is preceded in death by her husband Joe Bettencourt, her first born son, Joey Bettencourt, her parents John and Mary Gomes, and her brother-in-law Alfred Sa.
Lorraine is survived by her children; Lynne (Steve) Lawrence, Karen (Frank) Costa, Keith (Barbara) Bettencourt, Kevin (Tammy) Bettencourt, Karlene (Earl) Story and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, godchildren, her sister Evelyn Sa, brother Dick (Betty) Gomes, sisters-in-law Roby Aguiar, Judy Elgin, Rita Bettencourt, and many nieces and nephews.
The Bettencourt family would like to thank Martina Costa, Jan Otterbeck, Mary Perez, Yolanda Olivera, and Mary Angeles for their loving care and support.
The rosary will be Monday, November 20, 2023, at 6:00 pm at Miller’s Funeral Home in Visalia, California. A Catholic Mass will be held Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at 10:00 am at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Tulare, California, followed by the burial service at Kern Cemetery in Tulare, California.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lorraine’s memory to the Church or charity of your choice.
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