Lorraine Ertel of Warwick passed away on July 23, 2023, at home with her loving family by her side. She was 72 years old.
Born in Brooklyn on May 29, 1951, she was the daughter of John and Doris (nee Rivoire) Kelly.
Lorraine lived in Warwick for nearly 25 years.
In college, she majored in art history and math. She taught at St. Joseph’s and Skinner Montessori schools in Vancouver, Washington, and as a substitute art teacher in Ramsey, N.J.
In her early life, she worked in Small Business Administration of Disaster Loans, a part of FEMA, working on disaster declarations in New York City, Chicago and Puerto Rico. She received an award for getting American Airlines to fly 250,000 loan application forms to Puerto Rico at no cost during the Hurricane Hugo disaster declaration in 1989.
Lorraine also loved to cook for her family and friends. It was her way of bringing everyone together to enjoy good food and good company.
Lorraine is survived by her devoted husband Paul; their three sons: Paul F. Ertel of Norfolk, Va., Robert Ertel and his wife Sarah of Wappingers Falls and John Ertel of Warwick; and four brothers: John Kelly of Pound Ridge; Laurence Kelly of Sun City Center, Fla., Robert Kelly of Millburn, N.J., and Richard Kelly of Rockaway Beach.
The family received friends July 27 at Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Ave., Warwick.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated July 28 at St. Stephen RC Church, 75 Sanfordville Road, Warwick. Interment followed in Warwick Cemetery.
Arrangements were made by Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home. To send an online condolence, visit www.lsvpmemorialhome.com.