Lorraine E. Rakowski

Lorraine Elizabeth Rakowski of Kensington, just shy of 95 and planning her own birthday party, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, after a brief illness, surrounded by her family. Born on Lower Lane in Berlin, she was the daughter of the late Julius and late Antoinette (Wroblewski-Rakowski) Bolles. She had a strong bond with her two sisters, Lois (Rakowski) Radavich of Kensington, CT and Lillian (Rakowski) Agostini of Kensington and Niantic, CT, and she cherished her large family, which included Biggie Agostini, the late Ronda Agostinucci, Peter Agostini, Jim Radavich, Laurie Radavich, Mary Ann Radavich, Lisa Desmarais, along with their spouses and children, and many other nieces, nephews, cousins, long-time friends and colleagues, and neighbors. Special acknowledgements go out to her niece Laurie Radavich and the Bourgoin family, for their decades of support that helped her to live so independently at home.

Entering this world as the Great Depression was about to begin, Lorraine was blessed with many experiences. Those who knew her enjoyed listening to nostalgic stories of growing up on the farm with an outhouse, goats, hay wagons, and a favorite recollection of Jadek falling out of the car with nobody noticing.  Her family and friends came away with smiles and were reminded how precious life is. Lorraine was devoted to her faith and generous with her time at Saint Paul Church. She graduated from the Teachers College of Connecticut (now CCSU) with a bachelor’s degree and from Wesleyan University with a master’s degree. She taught at Berlin High School and Middlesex Community College. Living a full life right to the end, she enjoyed her home on Cape Cod and had numerous hobbies and activities throughout the years which included tennis, golf, skiing, bowling, traveling, photography, crosswords, Scrabble, jigsaw puzzles, UCONN basketball, reading, baking, monthly gatherings with her friends, and making countless rosary beads for the Saint Paul Ladies’ Guild.

Calling hours will be 4:00 – 7:00 pm on Tuesday, April 16 at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home (Porter’s), 111 Chamberlain Highway, Kensington. A funeral liturgy will be held on Wednesday, April 17 at 10:00 am at Saint Paul Church, 467 Alling Street, Kensington. Family and friends are invited to a repast directly following Mass at Casa Mia at the Hawthorne. A private burial will take place at her final resting place at Saint Stanislaus Cemetery in Meriden at another time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Saint Paul Church (467 Alling Street, Kensington, CT, 06037) or CCARC (950 Slater Road, New Britain, CT, 06053), an organization started by her family and neighbors in 1952 to support those affected by intellectual and physical disabilities.