Lorraine Deborah Papa, formerly of Stratford, passed away on August 25, 2023, at Maefair Healthcare Center, just days after her 76th birthday.

Lorraine was born on August 20, 1947, in Bridgeport. In 1959, her family moved to Stratford. She attended Frank Scott Bunnell High School, in Stratford and Albertus Magnus College, in New Haven.

Lorraine was fluent in several languages and she used them throughout her career, most recently at the Ct. State Department of Social Services. She also taught conversational French, Spanish, and Italian, as well as business subjects and opera appreciation throughout the community. Lorraine was a former soloist at Golden Hill United Methodist Church, in Bridgeport, as well as a guest soloist in other churches.

Lorraine is survived by her sisters, Louise Norell of Fairfield, Marianne Bevilacqua, and her husband, Frank of Guilford, and Roberta Shea and her husband, Daniel of Stratford. She also leaves behind her beloved nephew, David Woiknoris of Groton and his partner, Elizabeth Jackson.  She will be missed by many cousins, with whom she made a point of keeping in touch.

She was predeceased by her parents, Frank Papa, and Nancy Cappello Papa, as well as her brother-in-law, Richard Norell.

Lorraine will be remembered for being an avid reader and for her extraordinary talent for languages. She loved singing, music and the arts. She could always be relied upon for telling a good joke and an entertaining story.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Maefair Healthcare Center and Athena Hospice. Also, many thanks to the medical professionals at St. Vincent's Hartford Healthcare, for the diligent care that Lorraine received throughout the year.

Friends are invited to offer condolences between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 pm. on  Wednesday Oct. 25, 2023 in the Dennis & D'Arcy - Abriola & Kelemen Funeral Home, 2611 Main St. Stratford.  Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to Saint Jude's Children's Hospital at stjude.org, or the American Diabetes Association at diabetes.org.