Lorraine Alice Verrill

GORHAM – Lorraine Alice (Rand) Verrill passed away peacefully in the late hours of January 3, 2018 with her children by her side. She was born on January 10, 1940 to Constance (Corkum) and Walter Rand, Sr. of Gorham. Lorraine was a loving older sister to Walter (Sonny) Rand Jr. and Deborah Rand.

She grew up on the family farm surrounded by many close relatives in the White Rock area of Gorham. This is where she attended school and met the love of her life, Larry W. Verrill. They wed on January 11, 1958 and together raised four children on family land given to them in a home built by Larry. Lorraine was revered for the way she kept her home and for her wonderful home cooked meals and desserts. She frequently hosted family dinners for a dozen or more people.

In 1979 the couple sold their home in Gorham and moved into their dream house on Sebago Lake - which became a significant gathering place for family and friends. Lorraine baked regularly knowing company would arrive and wanting to be prepared with everyone’s favorites on hand. The couple’s grandchildren have many wonderful memories from the years at the lake. Some learned to swim there, and many regularly received boat rides and also took spins on water skis, tubes and the “bullet”.

Lorraine was a natural born caregiver starting at a very early age. While her family was young she worked nights to be with her children during the day. Later she was a housekeeper so she could bring her two younger children to work with her. Once her children were grown she focused more on a career and became the office manager at Rich Tool & Die in Gorham. While Lorraine had several careers in her lifetime, her most cherished roles were those of doting wife, mother and grandmother (aka Nana). She deeply loved and cared for her family with tremendous open affection and adoration. Her commitment to family was unwavering and constant. Every member of her family felt her love.

Lorraine was also an adventurer. She always wanted to parachute but the closest she got was parasailing while living at the lake. She also took a hot air balloon ride (a birthday gift from her children) and it ended up landing in the mud at Back Bay! She tended to drive faster than she should have and her license plate was aptly titled “born to drive”. Lorraine loved to vacation with her children and grandchildren; they all have many sweet memories of trips they took together to places like New York City, Nova Scotia, Florida, and to Mohegan and several Caribbean islands. She also had a love of music and was a talented pianist. Her children and grandchildren grew up listening to her play. She also had a beautiful singing voice and at age 8 she played the piano and sang live on the radio in Portland. Fortunately, two of her grandsons inherited her musical talents - Patrick sang in the Boy Singers of Maine and Alex still plays her piano along with other instruments and sings.

Lorraine had a deep faith in God and that faith shone through in the way she lived her life. She had an infectious smile – always positive and upbeat. She exuded kindness and empathy by putting the needs of others’ first, caring for multiple family members, and generously giving her time to others. Lorraine was active in the congregational churches where she belonged – in Raymond, Yarmouth and most recently, Windham. She loved to listen to and sing hymns.

Lorraine was predeceased by her parents, brother and her beloved husband, Larry. She is survived by her sister Deb Rand, and her four children, Mark Verrill and his wife Linda; Vicky Locke and her husband Jr.; Stacy Varney and her husband Rod, and Gary Verrill and his wife Dawn. She was blessed with eight wonderful and loving grandchildren, Josh Locke (and his wife Katelyn); Nikki Gieringer (and her husband Nick); Justin Verrill (and his wife Jessica); Patrick Varney (and his wife Hannah); Adam Varney; Jenna Gordon (and her husband Tyler); Alex Verrill (and his wife Kelsey); and Tyler Verrill. She was also blessed with five amazing great- grandchildren, Emma and Hailey Gieringer, Cora Verrill, Caiden Gordon and Oliver Varney.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 1:00 pm at the North Windham Union Church, Route 302, Windham, ME.

Lorraine’s family wishes to thank the caring staff at Sedgewood Commons in Falmouth.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lorraine’s memory to: Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, 383 US Route One, Suite 2C, Scarborough, ME 04074.

You may share your stories online at www.lindquistfuneralhome.com