Lorraine Griffin

Lorraine Dolores (Smith) Griffin
September 28, 1947 – July 14, 2021
Lorraine was born September 28, 1947 in Brooklyn, NY to Theophilus E. and Elize R. (McKenzie) Smith.
She was the oldest of three children. Lorraine passed away peacefully July 14, 2021 surrounded by her
family.
Lorraine moved with her family to Cambridge, MA where she attended the Houghton Elementary
School, the Timilty Jr Highschool in Boston, and graduated from Cambridge High and Latin. Upon
graduation Lorraine traveled to Hampton, Virginia and attended Hampton Institute to study Early
Childhood Education. During the summer of her second year, she accepted a job offer at Boston Edison
(which later became N-Star) as an analyst. She remained there until her retirement in 2002.
On August 9, 1976, she married the love of her life Stephen M. Griffin in St. Thomas USVI. Lorraine was a
devoted wife and mother and lived for her family. Lorraine and Stephen raised two children and took
great joy in watching them dance. She was always there to take them to their many dance practices,
competitions, pageants and recitals. Also, Lorraine showed her love as a talented cook and baker. She
made herself available to help whenever there was a need for a cake or something sweet for a family
affair. Lorraine took much joy in hosting family events. In addition to her skill in the kitchen, she was a
great seamstress. It was a skill she learned from her mother and passed down to her children. From
altering a dress that didn’t fit quite right to creating a whole costume from scratch, Lorraine could do it
all. She also had a keen eye for design and loved to draw inspiration from shows on HGTV. Lorraine and
Stephen loved to travel as well. They would frequently go back to visit St. Thomas, the beautiful island
that started it all.
Lorraine was stern but kind. But most importantly she was a caring, reliable, present, talented, and a
loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt. cousin and friend.
Lorraine is survived by her loving husband Stephen M. Griffin, their children Takeya J. Griffin and Tyler J.
Griffin, her brother, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Leonard (Lenny) Smith and Shelley Baer, Paula
Smith (wife of the late James L. Smith), James and Maria Griffin, Joseph and Antoinette Iozzo Jr., Garry
and Diane Burgess Sr., Her nieces and nephews Rammell James, Tiandra Johnson-Smith, Ashlee Smith
(goddaughter), Shayla Connor, Drew Burgess, Gabrielle Burgess, Melodie Griffin, Victoria Griffin,
Mellissa Brown, Tanya Benzan and Angela Iozzo. Her beloved “Cousin Corrine” Murriel Greene, cousins
Charlene Sanders, Leah Griffin, and Cynthia Jackson. And her goddaughter Tina Graham Everett and a
host of relatives, extended family and friends.
Lorraine was predeceased in death by her parents Theophilus E. Smith, Elize R (McKenzie) Smith, her
brother James Lawrence (Smitty) Smith and her mother-in-law Cecelia G. Griffin.

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation The American
Diabetes Association in Lorraine Griffin’s name.

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