Obituary of Lorraine Ruth Christie

Lorraine Ruth (Neal) Christie, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, September 2, 2024 at the age of 90.  

Lorraine was born on January 6, 1934 in Lynn, Massachusetts, daughter of Charles and Ada (Hooper) Neal, the youngest of five children. She grew up in the Cliftondale neighborhood of Saugus and graduated from Saugus High School in 1951. She was fondly known as “Little Red” by her friends because of her bright red hair and her petite stature, just over five feet tall.  Lorraine’s faith was very important from an early age.  She was active in “Youth For Christ” and participated in youth group and Bible studies. As an adult she remained a faithful church member, always using her musical gifts.  After moving to Florida, she was very involved in Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale where she built rich friendships with others in the church through Bible studies, Evangelism Explosion, and volunteering at the local crisis pregnancy center. She faithfully sang soprano in the choir for over 25 years.  Singing hymns to the Lord was something she did formally and informally all the days of her life. 

Lorraine’s life was all about her family.  She raised her two children, Donna and Greg, in Scituate and Hingham before settling in Lynnfield.  She was a loving, supportive, and encouraging mother.   She was blessed to meet Roy Christie, and they married in 1979 and shared 43 years together.  He brought three more children into her life, Cheryl, Diane and Carl.  She loved it when everyone was together for holidays, celebrations, or family events.  

Lorraine had several careers during her lifetime.  She was a professional organist and pianist and organ instructor. She also worked in the travel business which was a natural fit for Lorraine as she and Roy loved traveling and went on countless cruise trips to many different destinations.  She took pride in being Irish and especially loved her trip to Ireland with family.  

Lorraine was a devoted wife who supported Roy in his work as real estate developer. They relocated several times within New England and eventually in 1988 they settled in Florida where they remained for twenty nine years. In 2017, they moved back to New England to be closer to family and enjoyed many Sunday dinners and family events, big and small with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

She will be missed by her family, but they are comforted that she is in glory and she is once again reunited with loved ones.

Lorraine was the beloved wife of Leroy “Roy” Christie who sadly passed away in 2023.  She is survived by Donna Thorburn & her husband Bill of Danvers, Greg Olson & his wife Judy of Lexington, Cheryl Walsh & her husband Joe of Stoneham, Diane MacDonald of Billerica, and Carl Christie & his wife Sara of Nahant.  She was predeceased by her siblings Fran Stickney, Paul Neal, Millicent White, and Alden Neal.  She was the grandmother of 13 and great grandmother of 7.  She is survived by many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Lorraine’s Life will be held at the West Church, www.westchurchpeabody.com, 27 Johnson St., Peabody MA on September 15th at 2:00pm.  Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.  

Gifts in remembrance of Lorraine may be given to Gordon College online at www.gordon.edu/giving or mailed to: Gordon College, Development Office, 255 Grapevine Road, Wenham, MA 01984; or to the Salvation Army, 33 Myrtle Street, Waltham, MA 02453 or www.salvationarmyusa.org