Lorraine Antor

On what would have been her sixty-sixth wedding anniversary, Lorraine Antor was reunited with the love of her life and richly rewarded for her life of service to the Lord she loved. Her faith was her constant companion and although she was never boisterous or overbearing in her faith, her life personified what it truly means to be a follower of the Lord. Together with her husband, Lorraine raised six wonderful children who were the light of her life and what they lacked in money, she more than made up for with love. In everything she did she brought light and life to those around her and in so doing, touched everyone she met. Life will never be the same without Lorraine here, but her legacy of graciousness, humility, and unconditional acceptance and love for others will live on the in the lives of those she leaves behind.

During a decade that saw the peak of Broadway, the explosion of American baseball, and nationwide growth and prosperity, there was great cause for celebration in one young family from Grand Rapids, Michigan, since it was on August 26, 1925, that they were blessed with the birth of a healthy baby girl. Lorraine was welcomed into the world by her parents, Stanley and Mary Ann Droski, and was the eighth of nine children in her family. She was raised in the family home on 9th Street NW and attended St. Adalberts Elementary and Catholic Central High School.

Life was forever changed for Lorraine when she became acquainted with a young man named Gerald Antor from the neighborhood. Intrigued by him, Lorraine went up to him, gave him a Tootsie Pop, and carried on a conversation that ignited the sparks that later grew into true love. They were separated for a time, however, when Gerald was sent overseas as a seaman in the Navy during WWII, but they corresponded by letter. When Gerald called his sweetheart one day to inform her that his ship would be coming stateside, he asked her to be his bride and a whirlwind wedding was planned. The couple exchanged their vows on April 24, 1945, at St. Adalbert Catholic Church. Not long after their reception at Warsaw Restaurant, the groom returned to the ship.

When Gerald completed four years of duty to his country, he returned to Grand Rapids where he and Lorraine were soon pleased to welcome daughter, Carolyn, into their hearts and home. A short time later, the Antors moved their growing family into a home on Cedar Street NW where they were joined by a son, Gerald, in 1947. He was followed by Greg in 1953, Dan in 1955, Tom in 1960, and Tim in 1962. Lorraine and Gerald established a strong foundation of faith in their children and were members of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church where they faithfully attended services. As a mother she was nurturing, tender, and gentle, rocking her children when they needed comfort. As her children got older, Lorraine was fiercely protective of them and only she could say when they did something wrong.

Lorraine ran a tight ship at home and liked things neat and orderly. Her home was always clean and she was the queen of laundry who believed that whites should always be white. Lorraine did laundry every day and usually hung her clothes out on the line as she rarely used a dryer. Even bath time was as thorough as it could be in the Antor home. There was always room for fun on family vacations to Hess Lake and Lake Mitchell as well as to Canada and Norfolk, Virginia. Everything that came out of Lorraine’s kitchen was remarkable including her Golabki, goulash, apple and lemon meringue pie, and butter horns. When it was someone’s birthday, they always received the pie of their choosing and everyone knew that when visiting Lorraine, she would try to feed you something. She and her sisters and sisters-in-law put their cooking skills to good use running a catering company for Polish weddings. They spent all weekend in the kitchen where the laughter was as plentiful as the food and although they didn’t profit a whole lot, it was well worth it and the kids always ate like kings on whatever was left.

There were so many things to love about Lorraine. Those who knew her knew that they should never call during Jeopardy if they expected Lorraine to answer as she lived to keep track of who had the most correct answers. She also didn’t appreciate it when someone blurted out the final answer. She usually watched Tigers baseball with Gerald and liked eating out at Olive Garden and Amore Trattoria Italiana.

Traditions were always important to Lorraine, especially when it came to her family. Summer Sundays usually found the family gathered at her house for a barbeque and although Thanksgiving was always at Aunt Eleanor and Uncle Larry’s, Lorraine and Gerald hosted Christmas. She shared close relationships with all of her siblings through the years, especially with her sister Irene. They took regular trips together and usually wound up getting lost, although neither one seemed to mind. Lorraine and Gerald were thrilled with a surprise 60th wedding anniversary celebration attended by countless friends and family members.

With the death of Gerald in 2008, Lorraine was deeply saddened and didn’t quite know how to go on without him. She spent Sundays both at St. Alphonsus and the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans as being there made her feel close to Gerald.

In so many ways, Lorraine Antor touched the lives of those around her. She made people feel special whether it was the wait staff at a restaurant, her healthcare providers, or even a stranger in her path. Lorraine was generous, always returning a kind gesture with a card and flowers or money, and she never judged anyone. Although Lorraine’s family and friends will miss her dearly, they will be forever grateful for having been loved by her.

Lorraine Antor died on April 23, 2011. Lorraine’s family includes by her children, Carolyn (Ron) Marble, Gerald “Champ” (Valarie) Antor, Greg Antor, Dan Antor, Tom (Beth) Antor, and Tim (Linda) Antor; 21 grandchildren, Ron (Elisabeth) Marble, John (Amy) Marble, Brian (Tammy) Marble, Mike (Brandy) Antor, Max Antor, Daniel (Lindsey) Reynolds, Casey (Megan) Councilor, Benton (Andrea) Reynolds, Rachel Woolbright, G.J. (Whitney) Antor, Alexus “Bo” Antor, Tiffany (Stephen) Cole, Katelyn Antor, Lily Antor, Eleanor Antor, Magan (John) Hartley, Mallory Antor, Molly Antor, Amanda Antor, Andrew Antor, and Alison Antor; 20 great-grandchildren; sister, Celine (Bill) Tomasunas; sisters-in-law, Eleanor (Larry) Higgins and Mary Antor; brothers-in-law, Leo Jr. (Pat) Antor, and Chuck (Sherri) Antor; special friends, Mary and Barb; and many nieces, nephews, and close friends. Lorraine was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald; 3 brothers; 4 sisters; and great-grandson, Brent Michael Newton. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 224 Carrier St. NE. Friends may visit with her family from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday and 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday, with a vigil service at 6 p.m., at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a memory or sign the guestbook.