Lorraine Kay (Franz) Olsen was born June 26, 1925, to William and Marie Franz in Brooklyn. Lorraine fell peacefully asleep in death Monday, April 8, 2024, with her daughter, Daren, and son, Gary, by her side.
As a young woman, Lorraine worked as a hand model in Brooklyn and Manhattan. After that, Lorraine worked for Lamont, Corliss, and Co. One day, she passed by the desk of a coworker who was writing a letter to her nephew in the military. As Lorraine walked by, she said, “Send him a kiss for me.” Lorraine met that nephew, Malcolm, when he came home on leave. It was 18 dates, and 16 months later they were married on July 7, 1945. They had been married for over 66 years when Malcolm passed away.
She is survived by their six children, Donna O’Brien, Steven Olsen, Gregg and Linda Olsen, Dawn and John Diebner, Daren and Bill Husch, and Gary Olsen.
Lorraine is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Tracy, Keith, Patrick, Christian, Connor, Jason, Loren, Eric, Brielle, and Garrett, and 11 great-grandchildren.
Lorraine was a very hard worker for her family at home. She also worked in the luncheonette and later at the bowling alley that she and Malcolm owned. She was very creative and artistic. Lorraine was also an excellent cook and would spread a feast for family and friends on many occasions.
A big change in Lorraine’s life came when she learned about who Jehovah is. She treasured His promise to fill this earth with righteous people who will enjoy life forever in that paradise. She was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on Dec 25, 1971.
In 1974, Lorraine and Malcolm moved to Bloomville with Daren and Gary. They became a part of the Hamden congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. On April 1, 1982, Lorraine volunteered to became a full-time pioneer, which meant she would spend an average of 90 hours every month preaching this wonderful promise from Jehovah to her neighbors. A number of individuals responded to her efforts. Even though her years during Covid and in the nursing home limited her, she continued sharing this message of hope until her death. She trusted fully in Jehovah’s promise to call her back to life again in that paradise.
She loved and was loved by all of those who cared for her in the Roscoe nursing home. She had a great sense of humor, which delighted the staff regularly. They cared for her daily needs very well, which included her evening margarita.
A memorial will be held for Lorraine Saturday, June 29, at 1 p.m. at the Hamden Kingdom Hall.
