Lorraine Frances Jorge, 92, of Vero Beach, Florida, died peacefully at her home Thursday, February 2, 2023, with her daughters by her side.
Lorraine was born to the late Stanley and Francis Koniezna Grochowski in 1930 in Baltimore, Maryland. Her father passed away when she was 11 years old. When she was 16, she dropped out of Patapsco High School so she could work to help her mother support the family. At the age of 64, she went back to school to complete her high school diploma, of which she was very proud.
Lorraine married the late Karl T. Buettner in 1949 in Baltimore, Maryland. He passed away in 1980. She married the late Jesus Jorge in 1986 and in 1989 they moved to Vero Beach, Florida. Jesus passed away in 2005.
Lorraine worked many jobs to help support her family over the years. One of her first jobs was as a long-distance telephone operator at Chesapeake and Potomac telephone company, which was one of her favorite jobs. She made doll clothes to sell while Karl, who was in the US Army, was stationed in Germany. When Karl was stationed in South Carolina, she sold Avon, Aloe Vera products, made and sold ceramics, and was an office coordinator at an interior design center. In Florida, she worked at a sewing center, which got her interested in embroidery and quilting.
Lorraine volunteered with the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts. She taught seniors how to use computers. She volunteered in the religious education offices at the churches of which she was a member.
Lorraine was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Columbia, South Carolina, St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Northeast Columbia, South Carolina and St. Helen Catholic Church in Vero Beach, Florida. She was involved in Cursillo, the choir, Seniors of St. Helens, the Rosary Makers for Peace, CRHP, the Lady Bugs, and Clown Ministry. Lorraine's Catholic faith was very much a part of her life and inspiring to many others.
Lorraine could crochet, knit, embroider, sew, quilt and create ceramics. She also baked cookies for the men overseas and the many groups in which she was involved. Lorraine did many other crafts as well and was always willing to try something new.
Lorraine was preceded in death by her brothers, Frank and Stanley Grochowski, and sisters, Helen Robier, and Angela Mayfield. She is survived by her brother, Ronald Grochowski. She was preceded in death by her son, Stanley K. Buettner and a grandson, Ronald E. Dozier. She is survived by her daughters, Anna-Marie Phillips (Leon) of North, South Carolina, Lorraine Catoe (Wayne) of Elgin, South Carolina, Coral Shively (Duane) of Sapphire Valley, North Carolina, Kathy Dozier (Donald) of Camden, South Carolina and Sandra Buettner of Vero Beach, Florida. She is also survived by 9 Grandchildren, 25 Great Grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making donations to either St Helen's Catholic Church, 2000 20th St., Vero Beach FL 32960 or to VNA Hospice 1110 35th Ln, Vero Beach, FL 32960