Lorraine M. Hendrick

Lorraine “Rainey” M. (LeBlanc) Hendrick, 90, of Westminster and Palmetto, FL, was called by angels Tuesday, September 7, 2021, after a long illness, at home in Westminster, surrounded by family.

Born in Gardner on June 7, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Moise and Anna (Landry) LeBlanc. She was a graduate of Gardner High School with the Class of 1951. Lorraine loved her job as a Telephone Operator employed by New England Telephone, where her coworkers were her best friends. Lorraine was quick-witted and could make anyone laugh with her wonderful sense of humor. She met the love of her life, Franklin at the Whalom Park Roller Skating Rink. Franklin joked that he asked her out because he liked her car, a Desoto Coupe, but it quickly became evident that they were meant for each other and married on January 7, 1955. They settled in Westminster, where they enjoyed life in their house on Wyman’s Pond, which was full of laughter and pets. Once they retired, they bought a home in Florida where they would spend their winters. But most importantly her children where her pride and joy, and cherished every minute spent with them.

Franklin and Lorraine loved to travel and once they bought their Winnebago, travelled extensively through the United States and Canada. They enjoyed going on cruises and took many, visiting Europe, the Caribbean and their favorite, Hawaii.

Lorraine was a current parishioner of St. Edward the Confessor Church of Westminster and a former parishioner of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church of Gardner. Her faith was very important to her, and she took pilgrimages to the Camino de Santiago in Spain and Medjugorje in Yugoslavia.

Lorraine was also an active member of the Telephone Pioneers, the Family Motor Coach Association, and was a volunteer for the Special Olympics.

Lorraine is survived by her husband of 67 years, Franklin L. Hendrick; her children, Steven Hendrick, Larry Hendrick, Rose Marie Hendrick and Mark Hendrick and his wife Christina; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was predeceased by her three sisters, Rita Morse, Yvonne LeBlanc, and Dorothy LeBlanc; and her brother, Raymond LeBlanc.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, September 17, 2021, with a Mass at 12:30 p.m. in Annunciation Parish at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA. Burial will follow at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon, MA.

There are no calling hours.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116 or on their website at (www.diabetes.org). Please reference in memory of Lorraine M. Hendrick.