© Copyright 2001-2016 Stockbridge Funeral Home
All Rights Reserved
Stockbridge Funeral Home invites you to post your entries of love and support for the family. All postings are monitored and any inappropriate posts will be immediately deleted. Thank you in advance for your respect for the family.
Return to OBITUARIES
 | ||||
S H A R E
Funeral Mass -
Wednesday, January 11, 201710:30 amSt. Michael ChurchCorner of Front & Lincoln StreetsExeter, New Hampshire 03833Lorraine Baker Graham
EXETER, NH - Lorraine Baker Graham, 83, of Riverwoods, died peacefully at her home on Thursday, January 5, 2017 surrounded by her beloved husband, Frank Graham, and children, Jeffrey Graham and his wife, Diane of Franconia, NH, Lynn Marsh and her husband, Michael of Portsmouth, NH, and John Graham and his wife, Susan of Shrewsbury, MA. Lorraine is the beloved grandmother of Brendon, Sean, and Sara Graham, and Michela, Emma, and Katherine Marsh. Born in Winthrop, MA to parents Samuel and Kathyrn Baker on September 26, 1933, she enjoyed a seaside upbringing with her sisters Margo and Kay. She met her lifelong love, Frank, at the Boston Parker House in 1953 and married in 1954.
All her life, Lorraine lived a life of song, dance, and humor. At 17 years old, she joined the Arthur Murray dance group and in high school, was active in the various musical revues. Graduating Winthrop High in 1951, she made her directorial debut at Burdett College, leading their musical cabaret program. At Burdett, she was named Most Talented and Best Dancer in their annual Who’s In at Burdett list. She was the editor for the Burdett Banner yearbook.
She then met Frank in 1953 and their true love led to a wedding the very next year. They moved to Pittsburg, PA as Frank pursued his insurance career. In Pittsburg, Lorraine gave birth to her first son, Jeff, in 1955. They returned to New England, living in Burlington VT, Augusta ME, and Nashua NH. Her daughter, Lynn and son, John followed to round out the family.
During her time in Nashua, Lorraine and Frank became active again in theater through many years with the Nashua Actorsingers. She took on her first director role with the Actorsingers’ production of “Guys and Dolls” which featured her husband, Frank in the title role of Nicely-Nicely Johnson. The Graham household was filled with the sounds of pianos, tenors, and sopranos. Lorraine was most happy during this frolicking time of song and dance, the excitement of delivering professional productions on time, and the ovations of sold-out audiences.
After her children were grown, Lorraine and Frank relocated to Durham, where they lived along the Lamprey River for 16 years remaining active in the community and as members of St. Thomas More Parish. In 2004, they retired to the Riverwoods Community in Exeter where Lorraine worked diligently to bring entertainment to the “Ridge”, taking on the role of entertainment director. She was active in St. Michael’s Church, singing with the choir and serving as a lector.
Lorraine will be sorely missed by her family, friends, the Riverwoods community and the flock at St. Michael’s. She brought immeasurable joy to others during her lifelong performance of song and dance and her upbeat, energetic spirit. As much as song and dance was essential to her happiness, she found the calm and beauty of nature to be invigorating. She spent many hours tending her beautiful garden and walking the footpaths of New Hampshire.
A funeral mass will be held for Lorraine at St. Michael’s Church, 9 Lincoln St, Exeter, NH at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, January 11, 2017. Donations in Lorraine’s name to the American Red Cross (www.redcross.org) would be appreciated.
