Lorraine’s life began in Chicago on May 16, 1925 when she was born to Konred “Bud” and Marie Catherine (McVady) Secrest.

Lorraine graduated from Visitation High School (1943) and was united in marriage to Cornelius Joseph Sullivan on Oct. 23, 1948 in Chicago. Lorraine and Neil had six children. Lorraine retired from Klett Construction in 1987, and began another career at Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital in Dowagiac as volunteer coordinator.

She was a life-long member of Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Sister Lakes, Mich., and a dedicated volunteer throughout her entire life. Her greatest contributions were in the Girl Scouts of Chicago, Sacred Heart Church, Lee Memorial Hospital, Red Hat Society (serving several terms as “Queen Bee”!), AARP and other causes that came to her heart. The granddaughter of Irish immigrants, Lorraine became a citizen of Ireland in 2006.

Raising her six children was her greatest focus and accomplishment. She is survived by her daughters, Maureen (John) Kuriata, of Dowagiac, Eileen (Hal) Shue, of Niles, Kathleen (James) Lopez (both deceased) and Colleen (Jon) Gentry, of Rochester, Mich.; and her sons, Kevin (Annemieke) Sullivan of Crystal Lake, Ill. and Denis (Nevenka) Sullivan of Arlington, Mass.  Lorraine helped raise 12 grandchildren: Denise Caldwell and Shaun Kuriata, Teddy Wallace and Jennifer Glenn, Brian, Katie and Connor Sullivan, JoAnna and Grace Sullivan, Erin Hess, Jared Leets and Ryan Gentry, Royce Kuriata and Christopher and Lacey Shue; 10 great-grandchildren; and innumerable nieces, nephews, cousins and family friends – all of whom love and adore her and consider her a “second mother.” Lorraine is survived as well by her loving sister, Marilyn “Mimi,” and brother-in-law, John “Jack” Pitcher.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen and James Lopez.

Lorraine’s family will gather with friends on Friday, April 16 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Yazel and Clark Chapel, 405 Center St., Dowagiac. Her funeral service will be on Saturday April 17 at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 51841 Leach Rd., Dowagiac (Silver Creek). Lorraine will be laid to rest in Keeler Township Cemetery after the funeral mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the American Lung Association, American Heart Association, or Lakeland Hospice and Palliative Care.   Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory of Lorraine at www.yazel-clark.com.