Lorraine S Jenkins

Lorraine Sheila Schwartz Jenkins passed away on August 20, 2023 after a lingering illness. She was born on December 6, 1942 in Cambridge, Massachusetts to Nathan and Minnie Valinsky Schwartz. Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents and her former husband Ronald Jenkins.

Sweet Lorraine was a loving mother, sister and aunt and the best and most interesting friend one could have. She grew up in Clinton, Massachusetts where she enjoyed her schools and loved her schoolfriends. She also loved her little sister Paula who was her first and best student as they played school.

After graduation from Clinton High School in 1960, Lorraine focused on becoming a teacher. She earned a BS in education at Framingham State University and some years later, an MS in education from Indiana University. She taught elementary and middle school in Connecticut, Indiana and Florida earning numerous awards and recognitions for her teaching and volunteer service to children and educational organizations. She served as a mentor to new teachers, as a teacher of English to speakers of other languages and was a nominee for Disney’s Teacher of the Year.

Although Lorraine prided herself on her life as a teacher, sister, and friend, she most loved being a mother to her son Kyle Jenkins (Janet) and a grandmother and mentor to her grandsons, Travis (Ana), Derek and Shane, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her adventures with her grandsons each summer and on holidays were the highlights of her middle years and she often included her neighbor and friend Zak Batten on their adventures.

Lorraine was committed to the Jewish community and to travel. She was a generous friend and volunteer and always had time to talk and to listen. Lorraine had a unique sense of humor and was often her own best audience.

Sweet Lorraine is survived by loving family and friends, especially Kyle Jenkins (Janet), Travis Jenkins (Ana), Derek Jenkins, Shane Jenkins, sister Paula Stewart (Roger), dear friends Lou and Christine Arab, and sisters in law Vickie Thornburg, Pam Cliburn (Buddy), Theresa Murphy (Jim), and Terri Oswalt (Rick), all of Indiana. In addition, she is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

The Family wishes to thank all of Lorraine’s friends for the time and attention they gave her for many years, especially during her last illness. The selfless acts of lovingkindness, fun, and gentle guidance of Tracy Batten, Chris Arab, Cathi Cahill and Veronica Berman will not soon be forgotten.

A gift to the scholarship established by Lorraine to help students from her hometown of Clinton to attain their educational dreams may be made in her memory by visiting: www.framingham.edu/give and selecting the Lorraine Schwartz Scholarship as the designation for the gift. Establishing this scholarship was one of Lorraine’s proudest achievements.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgmandarin.com for the Jenkins family.