Lorraine Pierce

Lorraine M Pierce

     1932-2024

Lorraine Pierce, age 91, passed away peacefully at Sabal Palms Assisted Living Facility located in Largo, FL on 11/16/24.  Lorraine was born November 30th, 1932, in Boston, Massachusetts. Her mother was born in Canada and her father was born in Vermont.  She grew up with five brothers and one sister. Following graduation from high school Lorraine applied for a receptionist position and was interviewed by Francis Pierce, the founder and President of Construction Specialties, Inc.  He was a distributor of building and architectural blueprints.  She was offered the job which made a significant impact on her future and life.  Lorraine became the first woman in Massachusetts to become an architectural hardware consultant!  She worked during the day and went to school nights at Northeastern University for seven years to earn her degree.

Lorraine and Francis married  and decided some years later to move to Florida, when he was ready to retire.  They lived happily in Clearwater, Florida, starting in 1959.  Prior to moving to Florida, they lived in Norwell, Massachusetts and visited Cape Cod on weekends.

Lorraine was not a frequent traveler, but absolutely loved visiting France.  Following Francis’ death in September 2000,  Lorraine decided to study abroad in France to help her overcome both her grief and fear of living alone.  She had the opportunity to study in Provence with people representing several countries around the world.  Lorraine lived in a French woman’s home while completing her studies.  She was taking private lessons in French for several years, prior to her studies abroad,  to establish a connection with her roots.  Her mother was born and raised in Canada. 

Later in life, Lorraine lived at Regal Palms.  Despite her Dementia, Lorraine was still able to make a significant impact on the community in which she lived.  Lorraine assisted Regal Palms in winning first prize and a $5,000.00 reward to be used towards community oriented services and the Montessori Program in the home.  Video streaming was used to introduce Lorraine live, to the members attending the award ceremony in Kentucky.

Prior to retirement, Lorraine was honored for thirty years of voluntary community service to St. Coletta’s which was a residual home and school for mentally retarded children in Hingham, Massachusetts.  Lorraine assisted St. Coletta’s with their record-keeping, bookkeeping and accounting issues.  She was able to apply and share her knowledge and experience with finance, stocks, and business.

Lorraine also volunteered her services as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister for St. Brendan’s Church in Clearwater.  She served as President of their Woman’s Guild and  was a member of the Door and Hardware Institute, the Northeastern University Alumni, the Belleair Country Club, and the Clearwater Yacht Club.

 Lorraine was survived by one brother (Richard Lozier) and one sister (Jeannette Ziegler).  She had approximately eleven nieces and six nephews. She had a significant impact on the lives of her family and community.

A visitation and Celebration of Life are scheduled at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church, 245 Dory Passage, Clearwater Beach FL.             .

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