MILLBURY – Lorraine M. (Bertrand) Hayes, 87, passed away peacefully on Sept. 8th at Whitney Place Assisted Living in Northborough, where she and her husband have resided for the past year. She was born on October 17, 1929 to Raymond and Dorothy (Loranger) Bertrand and was a lifelong resident in the town of Millbury.
She leaves her husband of sixty five years, James F. Hayes; a son, Stephen J. Hayes and his wife, Janet of Millbury; a daughter, Lori A. Lyver and her husband, Michael of North Grafton; five grandchildren: Kaitlyn Brown and her husband Daniel of Northbridge, Stephanie Bruso and her husband Thomas of North Smithfield, RI and Kelsea, Lauren, and James Lyver of North Grafton. She also leaves a great granddaughter, Emerson Rose Brown of Northbridge. Lorraine is also survived by her sister, Shirley Donovan of Millbury and a brother, Richard Bertrand of Millbury. Lorraine also leaves behind her beloved dog and companion, Dolly.
Lorraine graduated from Millbury High School. She spent many years in the field of public housing, achieved numerous professional certifications, and retired as the Executive Director of Housing for the Town of Grafton in 1997. She also was a licensed real estate broker with Century Twenty One and Coldwell Banker. Upon retirement, she continued working part time with the elderly at Christopher Heights Assisted Living in Worcester until 2012. Throughout her life, she was active in community service, serving for many years on the Board of Directors for the Millbury Council on Aging, the Millbury Housing Authority and the Board of Directors of Elder Services of Worcester. She was a member of the Millbury Women’s Club and the Altrusa Club of Worcester.
Lorraine and her husband enjoyed golf in their younger years, and were active members of Clearview Country Club in Millbury. More recently, they enjoyed their monthly bus trips to Foxwoods Casino with the Millbury Seniors. She and her husband have cherished memories of two wonderful family Caribbean cruises with their children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed her summer vacations spending time with her family on Mayflower beach on Cape Cod and boating on Lake Winnisquam, NH. She had a special place in her heart for each of her grandchildren, caring for each of them in their younger years, and then attending dance recitals, cheering competitions, and sporting events as they grew. Lorraine was very proud of her grandchildren and always ready to share a story of their latest accomplishments.
The family would like to thank the dedicated staff at Whitney Place for the loving care they’ve provided to Lorraine over the past year. She developed many new friendships there and so enjoyed the musical entertainment and social gatherings.
Relatives and friends are invited to Lorraine’s funeral on Wednesday, Sept 13th with a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. in St. Brigid Church, 59 N. Main St. in Millbury. Calling hours are 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12th at Mulhane Home for Funerals 45 N. Main St. Millbury and burial will be in Central Cemetery in Millbury. In lieu of flowers, donations in Lorraine’s memory can be made to “Friends of the Millbury Seniors”, 1 River St., Millbury, MA 01527.