Obituary of Lorraine M. Gondek

Lorraine would have been 100 on December 5th but God had better plans for her 100th year celebration. It was to be with her husband Felix, and her son Bill, and all her heavenly family. Her long journey ended at midnight, December 18th.

Although her health issues seemed to be progressively getting the better of her, she still kept a piece of her “spark”. Lorraine had a sense of style and grace, always well dressed, always with a smile and a kind word. She never gave up and always felt blessed. Often, she would remark how lucky she was to have such a caring family, to live in her home for 66 years, to be surrounded by family and friends.  She would often reminisce of her early years growing up with her grandmother and grandfather and multiple aunts and uncles always surrounded by love.  Some of her fondest memories were her vacations in Lake George and in her later years, her trips to Puerto Rico with her best friend.

She drove until she was 90 and volunteered one day a week at Huntington Hospital for over 40 years. Lorraine loved to knit; one might say she was a master.  Every one of her eight great-grandchild had a handmade blanket crafted with love. 

In her own way, she was a strong person overcoming many adversities in her life from the loss of her husband and raising a son with a traumatic brain injury. She was a quiet person who was somewhat insecure but managed to raise four kids with the help of her mom.  

She was the happiest when she was surrounded by family, especially in the summertime spending time with her great grandchildren around the pool.

Lorraine would always end a phone conversation with “God Bless” and if any of her children spoke to her in the evening she would say, “Sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite!” Odd, but funny. She was loved and will be missed more than she could know.

She is survived by her daughters Patricia Godek and Constance Gondek, son Edward Gondek, grandsons Brian and Kevin Godek, Chris Gondek, granddaughters Lauren Spicher, Meghan Alchermes and Paige Gondek.  Great-grandchildren Dylan Godek; Kevin and Mia Godek; Josiah, Jackson, Jonathan and Addilyn Spicher; and Matthew Alchermes.

“May the road rise to meet you;

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sunshine warm upon your face.

May the rains fall upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the hollow of His hand. “