Lorraine Colleen (O’Connor) Pritchard, 84, of Bridgewater, Pa., peacefully passed away Saturday, May 8, 2021, at Good Samaritan Hospice in Beaver, Pa.
She was born on March 17, 1937, in Sewickley, Pa. and spent her early years living and running free on the Karwoski family farm in Legionville, Pa., which she loved so much. These years developed the strong, independent, creative and fun loving spirit that she was and earned her the title “Queen of the Hollow.” Lorraine attended Mount Gallitzin Academy in Sewickley, Pa.
Lorraine moved to Wheeling in 1964, where she raised her family. There she served several organizations, including St. Michael’s School, School Board, Parish Counsel and Girl Scouts. During this time, she also worked in child care at home and King’s Daughters Child Care Center.
After raising her family, Lorraine began her over 25 year career of advocating for victims of domestic violence. She joined the Domestic Violence Program at the YWCA in Wheeling as an Outreach Advocate for Brooke County and later served as the Program Director. In 1993, she moved to Morgantown and joined RDVIC, where she served as counselor, shelter supervisor and later as client services coordinator. She retired to Beaver, Pa. at age 77, but felt she had more to contribute and became a part of the Shelter Relief Staff at the Women’s Center of Beaver County in 2017. Lorraine would have continued her work with victims of domestic violence forever, but unfortunately her health deteriorated and forced her to retire again in October 2019.
Lorraine was very passionate about her career and work. She loved helping, guiding, and counseling the many victims of domestic violence and mentoring younger coworkers. She developed special lifelong friendships through her work with domestic violence.
In 2012, Lorraine was recognized with the Diane Reese Excellence in Advocacy in the Movement (DREAM) Award, which honors an individual who incorporates and demonstrates the spirit and promise of true advocacy in all aspects of life.
Lorraine loved life and was always on the go. She was a voracious reader and read for pleasure and to grow her knowledge on many subjects. She loved nature and instilled that love in all of her children and grandchildren. She was an amateur birder and kept most of the birds in Bridgewater, Pa. well fed. She studied current events and enjoyed political discussions. But what brought her the most happiness was being with her family.
Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond O’Connor and Loretta (Karwoski) O’Connor, and brother-in-law, Phillip Armstrong.
She is survived by her beloved children, Raymond “Kim” Pritchard (Lucinda), of College Station, Texas, Colleen Beers (Gary), of Blackwood, N.J., Lori Dallas (Kent), of Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Suzann McGeary, of Mount Lebanon, Pa.; siblings, Shirley Armstrong, of Carmel, Ind.; brother, Brian O’Connor (Debbie), of Bridgewater, Pa.; and grandchildren, Christopher and Brianne Beers, Elizabeth Pritchard (Rahul Sawhney) and Andrew Pritchard and Owen and Madelyn McGeary. Lorraine is also survived by her dearly loved nieces and nephews, Scott Armstrong (Peggy), Leslee Grace (Bill), Sherry Garcia (Bob), Jeff O’Connor (Carol), Robin Redfern (Chad), Don O’Connor (Tamica) and Eric O’Connor.
Two visitations will be held at J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton, Pa., from 2- 4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, May 12. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 200 3rd St. in Beaver, Pa., at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 13. CDC guidelines will be followed and everyone must wear a mask.
Lorraine has chosen cremation. A private family inurnment will follow at a later date in St. Joseph Cemetery, New Brighton, Pa.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the charities Bags & Blessings, the American Cancer Society for Cancer Research or your local women’s center.
