Obituary of Lorraine Sorasu

Lorraine Zora Sorasu passed away peacefully from a quick, yet brave battle with cancer, at her home in Sutter Creek, CA on Thursday, December 2nd, 2010 at the age of 72. Lorraine was born on September 10, 1938 to the parents of Laurence and Zora Sorasu (Dabovich) at Betty Wiley's Maternity Home in Sutter Creek, CA. She was raised on Sutter Hill with her older sister Mary Jane, and younger sister, Florence Ann. Lorraine attended Sutter Creek Elementary as a child and later graduated from Amador County High School in 1956. While in high school, she participated for four years, and was an officer in the choir, which was one of her joys at Amador. She also was a member of the Service Club, never missing a home game and was one of the original members of the Girls' Athletic Association; participating in girls volleyball and basketball. After graduation, Lorraine entered the Nursing School at Sacramento City College and was housed in the nursing dorms. She earned excellent grades in her classes and on the floor working with the patients, but did not like one of the female instructors that taught the nutrition and foods class, thus leaving the program to return home to regroup. While back in Sutter Creek, Fr. Herrington of Immaculate Conception helped Lorraine locate part-time work in Sacramento with the Sacramento Children's Home doing various secretarial responsibilities. During this time, Lorraine and her sister Mary moved in together at the Thaxton Manner in Sacramento and both began working as typists. Lorraine excelled as a typist and earned the right to be promoted from the manual to the electric typewriter, which was a big deal in those days. Lorraine took the state test and got hired on with the State Franchise Tax Board, where she worked from 1956-1957. During this time Lorraine purchased one of her prized possessions, a 1956 Ford, baby blue and white. She, her sister and other ladies would be seen and known to drive that Ford everywhere. In 1960, Lorraine, her sister Mary and Cousin Rosie saved money to take a three week trip to Mexico. Three young ladies in their 20s tracing the country of Mexico produced many fond, happy, and exciting memories. In 1961, Lorraine moved back to Sutter Creek and transferred to the Preston School of Industry, where she would continue to work as a secretary for 10 years. On December 20, 1962 she married John Joseph Thomas and during their 13 year marriage they would create the three greatest joys of her life; Brian Keith, Lori Ann and Lance Vincent. Lorraine wasn't just a mom that cheered for her kids, but she coached them, encouraged them, disciplined them and loved them completely. She never missed a game, whether near or far. Even when Lori and Lance had games on the same day, she would divide the innings, making sure both were equally cheered for and loved. Her passion for sports and love of family grew with the addition of her two grandsons; Drew Laurence and Keith Vincent. Her love for them was endless, her pride grew by the day and if anyone did or said anything about any of her "kids" she was the epitome of a "Mama Bear". Her family was her life. Lorraine had other joys, such as meeting up with the girls and taking weekend trips to Lake Tahoe. Lorraine, Mary, Florence, and several others would share a room, take in the shows, gamble and throw back a little "spirits". What laughs and stories they came back with. Lorraine also enjoyed celebrating the birthdays of close girlfriends down at Bellotti's. This group of women became so popular, they named them the "Elvira Gang" and the facility would be full of people on those special days of dancing, singing and celebrating life and friendship. Lorraine loved to enjoy the simple pleasures of life and those where the times that she was the happiest. Lorraine worked for 28 years as a secretary for the California Highway Patrol. She was very organized, detailed oriented and new the laws better than anyone. She was given the nickname of the "Sutter Hill Constable" due to her professionalism, but she was the first in the office to laugh or try to tell a joke. She retired from the CHP on Halloween day, 2000. She said life was too short and she wanted to enjoy her family, especially her grandsons while she still could. Lorraine was a devoted parishioner of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. She found much joy and happiness by being involved in the various activities and functions of the church. She was the secretary to Fr. Brennan, spent several years as a member of the Y.L.I., dedicated countless hours to the Alter Society cleaning the church, decorating for the seasons and using fresh flowers from the "old-timers" like Rena Levaggi and Helen Richards. While in the Alter Society, she held many offices and took on many fundraisers. Two of the most popular was the parishioner created cookbook that was produced and sold (how lucky you are if you have one) and the Mardi Gras dinner and dance. Lorraine, her sister Florence, and dear friend, Diane Matich, created an evening of magic, good food and great times. Through all of her work and devotion to the church, singing in the choir is where she found peace and pure joy. It was a small choir but it created a joyous and beautiful sound. You could always hear Lorraine and her sister Florence hit the harmony, and their voices in that little choir made Midnight Mass special. After the passing of her sister Florence, their choir went in different direction, but Lorraine was found in the first pew every mass still singing in praise. Lorraine is survived by her son Brian Thomas and wife Michelle of Ione, daughter Lori Thomas and boyfriend Jim Burgess of Jackson, her son Lance Thomas and wife Shannon of Jackson and her two loves of her life; grandsons Drew Laurence Thomas and Keith Vincent Thomas. She is also survived by her older sister Mary Jane and brother-in- law, Manuel Basterrechea of Sutter, brother-in-law Gary Klinefelter of Sutter Creek, nephew Steven Klinefelter and wife Jennifer of Orangevale, great niece and nephew Shelby and Shane Klinefelter and great aunt, Violet Battaglia of Sacramento, along with many "adopted" family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Laurence and Zora Sorasu (Dabovich), grandmother, Jovana Dabovich, and her beloved baby sister, Florence Ann Klinefelter (Sorasu) whom she will rest with in eternal life. A rosary will take place Friday, December 10th at 7:00 pm and a mass of Christian burial will be Saturday, December 11th at 11:00 am, both at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sutter Creek. Interment will be in the Sutter Creek Catholic Cemetery in Sutter Creek. There will be a reception to follow the burial at the Parish Hall to celebrate and share in the life of Lorraine Zora Sorasu. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hope Committee or the Teen Youth Group, both through the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, P.O. Box 127, Sutter Creek, CA 95685 or St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.