Lorraine E. Lahr

Lorraine E. Lahr, 87, of Squantum Drive, Middletown, RI, died peacefully at home Thursday, September 3, 2009 at home. She was the wife of Marvin P. Lahr.Born in Tampa, FL on Aug. 15, 1922, she was the daughter of the late William and Marian McDonald Alexander. Her father, William Alexander, designed the gun turrets on the Battleship USS Massachusetts, one of the straightest shooting ships in the entire WW II naval fleet. The Massachusetts was built in Quincy Ma at the Fore River Shipyard, by Bethlehem Steele Corporation. The ship was launched on Sept 23, 1941 and holds the record as the heaviest ship ever launched in Quincy. Big Mamie, as her crew knew her, was delivered to the Boston Navy Yard in April 1942 and was commissioned the following month.In addition to her husband, she is survived by her two daughters, Eden A. Lahr and Lisa L. Lahr, both of Middletown, RI. She is also survived by two nieces, Marion Morris, of Deerfield Beach, Fl and Pam Blades of Pembroke, MA. She was the sister of the late George Alexander and Marian Pray. In her youth, she resided for many years in both Wollaston and Braintree Ma. Boston was one of her favorite cities, with weekly excursions throughout the 1940s to attend Jordan Marsh fashion shows, or a horse show at the Boston Garden, or to ride the Swan Boats in the Commons.During the late 1940s, and beyond, she could frequently be found visiting Montillios of Boston, a special occasion bakery and cake shop, at the original location in Quincy, MAa.As a dedicated shopper, she had a special talent to locate designer clothes at rock bottom prices. The Bargain Center in Quincy was a favorite hunting ground, especially before the start of school every September, with employee, Elliott Levine, standing amid the tables of clothes yelling, We have this over here and that over there. She was well ahead of her time, dressing in fashionable funky urban style, during the 30s, 40s, and 1950s.She was a United States Marine Corps veteran, serving from 1950-1953, and held the rank of Staff Sergeant, and worked at the Pentagon. She won the Sharp Shooter Medal during her tenure in the Marine Corps. She recently visited the Women in Military Service for America Memorial in Washington D.C., to honor her fellow servicewomen. At the 2008 Newport Naval 4th of July Concert and Fireworks celebration, she was one of the oldest Marine Veterans that stood for the Veterans roll call.She was an adventurous world traveler, having visited Canada, France, England, Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Spain, and Portugal, Yugoslavia, Israel, Japan, China, Peru, Puerto Rico, St Thomas, St Croix, and Hawaii.In her later years, She was a person of simple unaffected tastes, preferring to grow her own vegetables, and prepare home cooked meals and baked goods, enjoying her dogs, roses and flowers while relaxing at home. She extended a world class welcome to all guests that visited her home. She could often be found reading a good book, and could discuss almost any subject raised in conversation. She was a long time daily communicant of St. Lucys Church, in Middletown. She was involved as a volunteer in many local organizations, such as : The Robert Potter League for Animals, Parkinsons Disease Support groups, St Lucys Hearth Womens Transitional Shelter. She was a Trustee of the Middletown Public Library, and was a longtime Poll Worker for the town of Middletown.She was an avid, non drinking, fan of the Newport International Polo Series, attending games each Summer, until her 86th year. In her 86th year, her regret was that she was unable to stand and slap the players high five as they rode their victory lap. She supported her daughter Edens equestrian activities for many years, acting as a motivator and #1 fan. She attended numerous horse shows and polo matches, and when the competition was tough at an event, she often told Eden, Did you come here to lose today?She was especially proud of her daughter Lisas many academic accomplishments, including acceptance into the Fulbright Scholar Program. She believed that giving up was never and option and firmly stated that her daughter Lisa would overcome lifes obstacles and achieve her goals, which she did.Her funeral will be held on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at 8 am from the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 am in St. Lucys Church, 909 West Main Road, Middletown. Burial will be in Trinity Cemetery in Portsmouth.Calling hours will be held on Monday, September 7, 2009 from 4-8 pm in the funeral home.Memorial donations may be made to The Robert Potter League for Animals, P.O. Box 412, Newport, RI 02840.