Lorraine M. Rankin

Waltham – Mrs. Lorraine M. (Chiasson) Rankin, of Billerica, formerly of Waltham, died Tuesday October 15, 2013 at home. She was 72.

Lorraine was born in New Waterford, Nova Scotia on January 25, 1941, a daughter of the late Patrick and Marie (Poirier) Chiasson. She had worked for twenty-five years out of the Waltham Watch Factory at Panametrics which is now owned by General Electric.

At a very young age Lorraine lost her father and moved in to her grandmother's home where she was raised in a loving family of thirteen and was especially looked after by her step-father Gustave Chiasson. She settled in Waltham in her twenties and raised her six children here. She was a hard worker, providing for her family while also running the household. She enjoyed cooking and playing cards or darts with her friends.

She leaves her daughters, Nadine L. Burke and her husband, Brian, of Billerica, Linda C. Surette and her husband, Kenny, of Waltham, Debora A. Speight and her husband, Thomas, of Walpole and Michelle A. Tilley and her husband, Andy, of Ontario, Canada; her siblings Bernard Chiasson and his wife, Lucille, of Florida, Gerard Chiasson and his wife, Sheila, of Framingham and Ann Hebert and her husband, Gregory, of Waltham; her grandchildren, Brian, Maggie, and Rebecca Alkerton and Kenny and Tyler Surette; her great-grandchild Adrian and is also survived by her daughter-in-law Lori Rankin of Leominster and five nephews.

She was the mother of the late Bruce D. Rankin and Gary W. Rankin and wife of the late Brian H. Rankin.

Family and friends will honor and remember Lorraine's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Friday, October 18th from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning before leaving in procession to Sacred Heart Church, 311 River Street, Waltham where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Burial will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to the VNA Hospice Care, 100 TradeCenter, G-500, Woburn, MA 01801.