Lorraine I. McHale

June 19, 1926 - April 14, 2022

AYER - Lorraine I. (Gilman) McHale, 95, of Ayer, died peacefully on Thursday, April 14, 2022, at Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley in Littleton with her family by her side. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 52 years, Richard F. McHale, who died in 2002. Mrs. McHale was the daughter of Clifford and Delvina (Beausoleil) Gilman and was a 1944 graduate of St. Bernard’s Central Catholic High School in Fitchburg. Lorraine resided in Ayer for the past 55 years after her husband retired from the military. She was a devout Catholic and longtime parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Ayer. Most important to Lorraine was her family. Her request for any birthdays or holidays was always to just “Be with the Family”. She was always ready for a gathering or an event. She worked later in life as a bookkeeper at Data Terminal Systems in Maynard before retiring. Besides being a loving mom, grandmother and great-grandmother, her passion was being out and about with her many friends. She was always ready to travel anywhere (a local favorite -Ogunquit, Maine) and the planner to many events, shopping, and dining out. Perhaps her most impressive trait was always being tuned into the unspoken needs of her friends, especially if they were lonely, in a home, or in the hospital. She would spend the time with them and encourage them to get out and join her in any outing of the day (always the chauffer). She loved live entertainment, games and playing cards (master of 500-Rummy) and the challenge of putting together any puzzle never diminished right to her last days. She enjoyed Baseball along with all the game shows with Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune being her favorites. Lorraine will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Lorraine leaves her daughter Kathleen M. Poirier and son-in-law Lou Poirier of Ayer; her son, Richard C. McHale of Watertown; two granddaughters, Jillian (Poirier) Peters and husband Daniel Peters, and Justine (Poirier) Mannix and husband Christopher Mannix; her four great-grandchildren, Nora and Henry Mannix, and Logan and Mason Peters and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her lifelong close friend and was blessed to be her roommate for the past 2 years, Millie Giambusso. She was predeceased by her four siblings: Florence Schumacher of Sacramento, CA; Wilfred Gilman and Lena Caron, both of Fitchburg and Irene LaPlante of Seattle, WA; along with many deceased in-laws including her very close friend and sister-in-law, Dorothy Sorentino. She was also predeceased by her lifelong dear friend and neighbor, Doris Joy. Lorraine’s family would like to thank the kindness of the many caring staff at Life Care of Nashoba Valley. Among the many: Agnes, Ann, Rosemary, Amelia, Anila, Jessica, Edna, Sam, Mimi, Rosemary, Quin, Riley, Cindy, Lisa, Linda, Christine, and Dr Kamens. Lorraine’s family will receive relatives and friends during visitation hours of 9-10:30am on April 22nd at Anderson Funeral Home, 25 Fitchburg Road, (Rte.2A) in Ayer. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Friday, April 22, 2022, at St. Anthony’s, 14 Phoenix Street, Shirley. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bishop Road in Ayer.. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Mary’s Church, 31 Shirley Street, Ayer, MA 01432..