Fall River…Lorraine E. (Alves) Shoemaker, 88, of Fall River, passed away February 20, 2022 at St Anne’s Hospital with her family by her side.
She was the wife of the late George F. Gifford and the late Charlie E. “Chock” Shoemaker, who was the love of her life.
Born in Fall River, she was the daughter of the late Anthony J. and Eva (Duhamel) Alves. She had the opportunity to live in many areas of the country throughout her life.
Mrs. Shoemaker had worked for many years as a chef at the Enlisted Men’s Club at the Naval Weapon Station, Joint Base Charleston, SC and had also worked as a seamstress in the local textile industry along with working for herself. Her quilts can still be found in the homes of her family and friends. She was a communicant of the former Norte Dame de Lourdes and St Anne’s Churches and member of the Veteran’s Affairs and American Legion Post 60 in Laughlin, NV. She was known for her great sense of humor and loved spending time with her ever growing family.
Survivors include her children: Gary Gifford of Fall River, Valerie Gillen of Fresno, CA, Stephen Shoemaker of Palm Springs, CA and Walter L. Shoemaker of Concord, NC; daughters-in-law: Linda and Elaine; son-in-law Mark; her brother Norman Alves and wife Natalie; 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 18th due any minute.
She is also survived by Chocks beloved sisters: Annie, Reba and Mary; brothers: Grady and Dennis and their families. Aunty Lorraine had many many cherished nieces and nephews. She was the mother of the late Alan Gifford and Carl Shoemaker and the sister of the late Rita Pacheco and William Alves.
Funeral to which relatives and friends are invited will be held Friday, February 25, 2022 at 9 AM from the South Coast Funeral Home, 1555 Pleasant St, Fall River, MA 02723 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM at Santo Christo Church, Columbia Street, Fall River, MA. Cremation will follow and she will be reunited once again with Charlie in Nevada.