Lorraine Elizabeth Clemente

LORRAINE ELIZABETH CLEMENTE died March 1, 2013 in Tucson, Arizona. Born March 24, 1924 in Brooklyn, New York to William and Anna Richter, she was always a New Yorker at heart, but moved to Tucson 45 years ago and joyously made it her home. She never tired of Tucson’s blue skies and beautiful mountains. Left to mourn are her loving and beloved daughters Ellen Harper Gibbons and Jane Harper Friedman, both of Tucson. Mom is also survived by her granddaughters Katie Gibbons and April Hinds, of Tucson. She is predeceased by her husband, Thomas Clemente.

Mom enrolled at the University of Arizona as a Freshman in her forties – obtaining her Bachelor’s Degree and then Master’s Degree and subsequently working more than 20 years for TUSD as the librarian at Manzo Elementary School, among others. After retirement, she reveled in traveling, swimming, family, movies, anything resembling dark chocolate and just generally having a great time!

Our precious mother has inspired us, comforted us, cheered us and made us laugh – we had a hundred private jokes and expressions that would crack us all up every time. We’ll spend the rest of our lives reliving those moments and smiling when we do. Her favorite expression, "What a geshichtka!" says it all and has permeated the vocabulary of everyone she has come in contact with!

Dearest Mama, your spirit will always be with us. You will be safe within our hearts until the end of time. Enduring gratitude to her loving caregivers and friends at the Forum and Arcadia Health Care. At her request, there will be no services. Anyone wishing to honor our mom’s memory may donate to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the charity of their choice.