Lorraine (Richards) Bryan, 75, of Derry NH passed peacefully on December 29th . She was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer in March 2023 and fought harder than anyone could, gaining many precious months.
Born in April of 1948 to parents Rita (Rich) and Herbert Richards, Lorraine grew up in Chelsea, MA with her 5 siblings. She graduated with honors from Chelsea High School in 1963 and went on to study nursing at the soldiers’ Home in Chelse MA. It was while working in a hospital, she met the love of her life, another aspiring nurse named Paul. She and Paul would go on to marry after he returned from serving his country. They settled in chelsea, MA and raised their 3 children there. They loved to travel and spend time with friends and family. Anyone who knew them would remember their Wednesday Yahtzee nights with Tom and Patty.
Paul passed in 2014 and Lorraine moved to Derry, NH with her daughter Kim and son in law, Ted. She continued to travel, taking family vacations across and out of the country. She loved a good yard sale and church fair. “Ma” found her true calling when she became a nana in 2001. She loved all of her 6 grandchildren, immensely.
She is pre-deceased by her husband Paul. She is survived by her daughter Kimberly Bryan-Dizon & her husband Theodore Dizon III of Derry, NH, her daughter Carrie DiNapoli and her husband Michael DiNapoli, jr also of Derry, and a son, Derek Bryan of Florida. She also leaves behind her wonderful grandchildren, Gillian Bryan of Florida, Aidan, Mason and Anora Dizon of Derry ,and Michael and Bryan DiNapoli of Derry,.
She was the sister of John Richards and his wife Susan of New York, Paul Richards and his wife Donna of NH, and Yvonne Celeste also of NH.. In addition to her husband, she joins her parents as well as her brother Herbert Richards Jr and sister Barbara Hamilton, in heaven. She is “ma” and “nana” to so many. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Until we meet again, ma. “More precious was the light in your eyes, than all the roses in the world.”
Calling hours will be on Wednesday January 3rd from 6-8pm at Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium 15 Birch Street Derry, NH. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 am on Thursday January 4th at St Thoms Aquinas church 16 Crystal Avenue Derry, Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett, MA. To send a condolence please visit www.peabodyfuneralhome.com.