Lorraine Elizabeth Underwood

August 22, 1932 – November 19, 2018

Lorraine Elizabeth Underwood of Highland, Indiana, passed away on November 19, 2018, following a brief illness. She was 86.

The former Lorraine Elizabeth Bemish, she was born and raised in East Chicago, Indiana. Lorraine was a graduate of Bishop Noll High School and Felt and Tarrant Comptometer School in Chicago. She was employed as a bookkeeper and stenographer at Inland Steel, and it was there she met her husband, Ernest Underwood, a superintendent of the No. 3 coke plant. They celebrated their marriage at St. Patrick’s Church in East Chicago and had three children.

A dedicated, loving, and fun mother, Lorraine lived her life with zest and instilled strong values, respect, and creativity in all she did. At home she loved to cook and bake, and family gatherings always included long-time favorites as well as a new recipe clipped from the newspaper that she just had to “try out.” Family favorites included cheese cake, liver, and home-made jams. If the family didn’t like a new recipe, she often would quip, “but you like everything that’s in it!”

Lorraine also enjoyed many hobbies. She was a very active member of the American Needlepoint Guild, (ANG) Chicago Chapter and was an accomplished needle crafter, with needlepoint being her favorite. Lorraine was most proud of the needlepointed back and seat sections of Bishop Melchisedek’s chair she stitched during the 1990s. She also enjoyed sewing, listening to music, watching old movies and TV “who done it” shows, and reading mystery and historic novels.

Lorraine is predeceased by her husband, Ernest, and eldest son, Philip (Diane). She is survived by her loving children, Cynthia, of Highland, Indiana, and Brian (Kathleen) of Florham Park, New Jersey; grandsons Nick (Jenn) and Thomas (Rachel) both of Valparaiso, Indiana; and great-grandchildren Violet, Sofie, and Ian of Valparaiso, Indiana. A private remembrance will be held in December.

During this season of gratitude, we honor Lorraine’s life and request an act of kindness, grace, or courage be offered in her memory.