Obituary of Lorraine Phyllis Radosta

Lorraine P. Radosta (Palermo) passed peacefully on Friday, August 2, 2024, with her daughters at her side. Lorraine was welcomed into the arms of her predeceased husband of 65 years, Peter Radosta. She was 90 years young.

Lorraine was born on October 18, 1933 in Boston, Massachusetts to Louis and Mary Palermo (Mazza). She had one sister, Shirley DiMare formerly of Malden, Mass. 

Lorraine lived a rich life, full of love and commitment to family. She is survived by her daughters Carla, Rachael, Pamela and her husband Richard. She was “Mammie” to grandsons Peter and his wife Marybeth, Joseph, Nicholas, and David. She is also survived by granddaughters Nicole and Heidi, and great-grandsons Cody and Jonah. 

She also leaves her extended family of Jordan and Kirin and her husband Erik. The newest additions of babies — great-grandson Romeo, and great-grandchildren Emerson and Andrew — brought Lorraine profound joy.

As “Auntie Lorraine,” she was dearly loved and respected by her nephew and nieces; Mark, Jean, Lynne, Lisa, Michelle, Lori, Julie and their families.

Lorraine grew up in Malden and attended catholic school, where she was known as Lolly by her peers. She greatly enjoyed dancing, roller skating and ice skating. She had a keen interest in fashion, and was always dressed with style and grace.

After graduating from Malden High School, Lorraine worked as a “Kelly Girl.” She developed skills in early data processing, from keypunch to computers. She specialized in payroll and bookkeeping.

Lorraine was first introduced to Peter on Palm Sunday, 1955. His father Charlie and her father Louie had conspired a setup. Though Peter was skeptical at first, the beautiful Lorraine soon stole his heart. They were engaged six months after their first date and married on May 27, 1956. They spent their honeymoon in Cuba.

Peter and Lorraine first settled in Everett, Mass. After the birth of their first daughter, Carla, they moved into a new home on Samoset Rd. in Woburn, where they soon welcomed daughters Rachael and Pamela. They lived in the same home for the next 63 years. They had recently downsized and relocated to New Horizons in Marlborough, Mass.

Lorraine was involved with the Woburn Sons of Italy and competed in the “coffee” and “couples” leagues at Woburn Bowladrome. She enrolled all her daughters in dance lessons and taught them how to skate. In her early 50s, Lorraine revived her love of roller skating in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco with Carla.

Lorraine and Peter always believed that family vacations were important. They often spent time along the seashores and lakes of New England, and brought their brood on road trips to Virginia and Washington, D.C. Peter inspired the family to learn how to ski for winter holidays in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine — and Lorraine became an expert beginner! 

Lorraine and Peter enjoyed all means of travel. They rode to Cape Cod and Gloucester for fried clams and “lobstah,” and camped throughout the region. They spent several winters in Florida and took cruises in the Caribbean, with holidays in Puerto Rico and St. Lucia. They journeyed through Europe with Pamela, enjoyed beach fishing off the coast of North Carolina with Rachael and shared many adventures in California with Carla.

Lorraine was truly active in the lives of her grandchildren. She cheered for them at lacrosse games and school concerts, helped them through tough homework assignments, and combed beaches with them in search of the best seashell. Sleepovers meant cartoons in the living room, and Mammie in the passthrough window with little bowls of checkerboard ice cream. Her grandsons cherish memories of summer nights on the patio, where she would teach them card games. She almost always won.

Lorraine was a kind and compassionate soul, and she loved deeply. Her joyful smiles and hugs will be cherished by those that loved her, and her beautiful spirit will live forever in our hearts.

Always and forever, “Mammie Kisses.”

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Lorraine's memory to The Learning Center for the Deaf of Framingham, MA. Donations can be made at https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/givetotlc

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will held in October. Details will be forthcoming.