NORTH ADAMS, Mass. —

Lorraine Sisselman Shapiro was born April 27, 1928 in Cedarhurst NY. Father Nathan Sisselman from Russia (parents were Eva and Samuel Sisselman), and Nettie Lipman Sisselman from Russia (parents were Miriam and Herbert Lipman).

Lorraine’s early years in Cedarhurst, New York, surrounded by many cousins, were filled with joy and close family connections. At age 12, she moved to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where she attended public schools before continuing her education at Linden Hall, a private boarding and day school in Lititz, Pennsylvania.

She went on to attend the University of Wisconsin, where she majored in sociology and graduated in 1949. In a reflection of her independence, Lorraine began her college journey by boarding a train alone in Pittsfield, traveling to Chicago, and then transferring to Madison Wisconsin. While in college, she was a member of the women’s Dolphin swim team, where she performed the crawl stroke and participated in water ballet.

Lorraine loved visiting Chicago with friends, where she would meet Allan Shapiro of North Adams, then a student at Purdue University. Their courtship led to marriage on June 27, 1949.

Lorraine devoted herself to her family as a homemaker, raising her three children. She was also an active volunteer with Hadassah and later became a co-owner of Cassidy, a clothing boutique with retail store in Stockbridge, and manufactured a quilted cotton coat line. Creative and entrepreneurial, she designed and assembled beaded jewelry to sell in the store.

An avid golfer, Lorraine was part of a pioneering group of ten women who were the first to play at Taconic Golf Course on Tuesdays. She cherished her time on the course and was a devoted follower of professional golf.

Alongside her close friend Irma, Lorraine developed a dollhouse kit business, creating and selling individual room kits. Her lifelong love of sewing and creativity stemmed from growing up in a family sewing business.

Lorraine was independent and self-confident. She would always say, “I will tell you what I think, then you do what you want”. She was an avid reader and known for her meticulous nature where everything always had its place.

She and husband, Allie, enjoyed traveling together for automobile conventions. She made frequent trips to New York City and visited Israel several times.

She will be remembered for being devoted to her family, and for her brisket, zucchini casserole, kugel, and multiple deserts. And master gardener of geraniums.

Lorraine leaves behind, Martin Robert Shapiro (Kathy), Edward Jay Shapiro (Margaret), Amy Beth Shapiro (Peter deceased), and 5 grandchildren, Mathew Shapiro, Jeffrey Shapiro (Danielle), Scott Shapiro, Martha Rose Marsters, Emma Vail Marsters, as well as many nieces, nephews and their spouses. A graveside service was held on April 15th in Southview Cemetery. To leave a message of condolence for the Shapiro family, please go online to www.paciorekfuneral.com