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Lorraine B End
On Thursday, May 9, 2024, Lorraine B. End (nee Merollo) of Delran, NJ, passed away at the age of 80 at Samaritan Hospice in Mount Holly, NJ. Born in Philadelphia, PA on February 23, 1944, Lorraine graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in northeast Philadelphia in 1962. Shortly thereafter, she met the love of her life, Joseph End, while sledding with friends. They married in January of 1963 and found themselves the parents of twin girls (Lorraine and Arlene) nine months later! Then, in December of 1964, another set of twins (Denise and Joseph) were born! At the young age of 20, Lorraine now found herself the mother of four children, but being the woman that she was, she was more than up to the challenge.
In 1964, Lorraine and Joe moved to Delran, NJ, where they remained as residents for the remainder of their lives.
In the course of time, Lorraine returned to the workforce, utilizing her excellent secretarial skills at Chestnut Fleet Rentals, United Hospital Supply, and finally, at the law office of Judith Lee Azaren in Willingboro, where she worked until her retirement.
A devout Roman Catholic, Lorraine was a lifelong member of Holy Name Church (now known as Resurrection Parish) in Delran, where she served in many different capacities. In her early years, she worked in the rectory doing secretarial work for Father Donald Reilly, who was the pastor of the church at the time. She then went on to serve on several different committees, but the committee that was closest to her heart was the Bereavement Committee. When the church got wind of Lorraine’s flare for cake baking and decorating, they quickly put her talents to use. Not only did many parish members hire her to bake their own wedding cakes, but the church itself would often use Lorraine’s cakes to sell raffle tickets.
Lorraine was a multifaceted diamond when it came to her many talents, such as cooking, baking, piano playing, crocheting, quilt-making, decorating, and crafting. The craft room in her condo was her happy place, and it was where she spent most of her time.
Lorraine was also an avid reader of books, especially books about History, her favorite subject. After reading books about History for many, many decades, her knowledge of this subject was colossal, making her a scholar in her own right.
When Lorraine was not watching history shows, reading history books, or crafting up a storm in her condo, one would find her walking the boardwalk in Ocean City, New Jersey, another one of her happy places.
Preceded in death by her husband, Joseph R. End, her sons-in-law, Robert J. Gotti and Russell Espenhain, her parents, Ernest and Elizabeth Merollo, and her sister, Sandra Merollo, Lorraine is survived by her children: Lorraine Espenhain of Mount Laurel, NJ, Arlene Gotti, of Edgewater Park, NJ, Denise Banski (Doug), of The Villages, FL, and Joseph R. End, Jr., of Delran, NJ. Also left to cherish her memory are her grandchildren: Joseph (Amber), Jason (Maureen), John (Rachel), Elizabeth, Emily, and Joseph R. End, III, her great-grandchildren: Jillian, Eliot, and Lydia, her sister, Arlene Campbell, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, May 18, 2024, 10:00 A.M. at Resurrection Parish (260 Conrow Road, Delran, NJ). Interment, which will be private, will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Samaritan Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 71425, Philadelphia, PA 19176-1425.
8 Comments
Lorraine End was one of the greatest blessings in my life. As my secretary and administrative assistant for more than 25 years, she made even the most difficult work days pleasant. Over the years, our lives and the lives of our family members blended. She was like a sister to me and like a daughter to my parents.
When she retired, she gave me six months (yes, you read that right – six months) notice and organized all the office procedures so I would have an easy transition to working alone. She was irreplaceable, so I opted to work alone after her retirement.
The huge, huge store of good memories we made will last me a lifetime. I miss her with all my heart. I believe she is now happily reunited with Joe. Rest in eternal peace, love, and joy, Lorraine. I love you!
I never had the privilege of meeting Lorraine, but I am friends with her adoring daughter, Arlene. Lorraine’s warm and loving spirit is a true tribute to the woman who raised her. My deepest sympathies to her family.
My mother in law was a very special person. She was incredibly caring and loved her family very much. She raised a wonderful family and remained independent until the end. She was a very talented crafter and loved sharing her talent. She will be greatly missed.
Lorraine was a Blessing to my life. She was a wonderful friend and saw me through some hard times. Over the years we went out regularly with a group of friends for lunch or dinner. We all got together and did different kinds of crafts and both learned to make quilts about the same time. Her quilts were works of art as were all her crafts. I had lunch with her on April 16th and her neighbor had prepared a lunch and had a birthdate cake for me. For my birthday Lorraine made me a beautiful box, matching envelope for my card, and a paper ribbon. All perfectly crafted. I looked forward to our monthly visits. She always had a craft to show me she learned on U-Tube. I am so lucky to have met Lorraine and she will be forever in my heart and prayers. I love you, Lorraine.
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How incredibly sad to hear about Lorraine’s passing. What a remarkably kind and giving person! My mother adored Lorraine, as does our entire family. May she rest in peace.
Lorraine was such a kind and loving friend to my parents, Joan and Leo Garland. My parents led the Bereavement committee at their church. They met Lorraine when her husband passed away. Lorraine then joined the committee and helped so many people that were grieving. My dad passed in 2001 and Lorraine and her friend Monica were there for my mom. They never forgot her, even when my mom had Alzheimer’s, they would come to visit her at assisted living.
Lorraine is a gift from God to all that had the pleasure of knowing her. She was such a devoted mother to her beautiful children and a caring friend. I will always remember her kindness and soft gentle soul.
Lorraine, aka Mrs. End, was a beautiful lady inside and out. She loved her family and friends passionately. I will miss her sweetness and her kindness. I loved receiving her thoughtful and beautifully worded birthday and Christmas cards. Extending my deepest condolences to her family and friends, of which I was honored to be counted among. With much love.
Mom,
God has given to me the gift and grace to be able to write. Since I first learned my ABC’s, writing was my soul’s way of breathing and expressing itself. I picked up my pen in order to write a “good-bye” to you, and for the very first time in my life, words have failed me. In the light of the void that is now left in my heart with your passing…
… the words simply will not come.