Lorraine Margaret Duncan
January 7, 1924 - July 10, 2012

Lorraine M. Duncan
Redmond, WA

Lorraine M. Duncan, so loving ... so beloved. At 88 years old, she peacefully passed away July 10, 2012 at her home in Redmond, WA, surrounded by family.

Lorraine was born January 7, 1924 in St. Paul, MN, where she was raised. In high school she wrote for the school paper and was in Thespians. She married the love of her life, William B. Duncan, on April 9,1942 at a little chapel on Roy Street in Seattle, WA. During the war they traveled while Bill was in the Army Air Corp. During this time they had their first child, William Bruce, also known as the "Sweetheart of 44G". After the war they returned to St. Paul, MN for a few years where they had their daughter, Cheryl Ann. The family moved to Havre, MT to be near Bill's family and in 1951 moved to Spokane, WA, where they raised their children. Lorraine became the first female credit manager in the state. During these years she enjoyed raising her children and flying with her husband, helping him while he built airplanes, all the while writing in her head. After the children were grown they moved to the country near Cheney and built their nest consisting of their own airstrip, a home, and 80 acres for her to garden. After she retired, she started writing a novel, short stories, and putting her many poems down on paper. She collaborated with her dear friend, Dorothy Fowler, writing poetry to accompany Dorothy's sculptures. She also wrote song lyrics with another friend, Phyllis Hordemann, who wrote the music and they performed their songs at a local restaurant. She belonged to writing groups, a clogging dance group, and enjoyed many close friends and family. After Bill's death in 1996, Lorraine was active in her church and became a Stephen's Minister after seven years of study. In 2008 she moved to Redmond, WA to be closer to her daughter. She moved to a retirement center, where she enjoyed reading, scrabble, and sharing with her new friends. She was always happiest when she was with her family. She was blessed to have unique and loving relationships with her children, grandchildren and her great grandchildren. We will all miss her loving nature, and especially that mischievous twinkle in her eye. She will forever be in our hearts.

She is survived by her sister, Leona Tessling; daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl and Mike Norton; six grandchildren, Angie Neska, Jay Uusitalo, William Bayard Duncan, Rebecca Uusitalo, Heather Hubbard, Jessie Robinson; seventeen great grandchildren; and thirteen nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, her parents, her brother, her son and her first-born grandchild.

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