Lorraine Brennan

One would be hard pressed to find a woman as loving and attentive to her family as Lorrie Brennan, or one as giving of her time and talents. Lorraine was a good friend to many, and a best friend to her daughter and granddaughter. In them she cultivated a sense of giving, learning and enjoying life to the very fullest. A devoted wife, dedicated mother, loving grandmother and a dear friend, Lorraine leaves much to be remembered in the lives of those she touched.

Americans were beginning to hope again in 1939 as the U.S. began to slowly emerge from the Great Depression. “God Bless America” was introduced, and moviegoers enjoyed the premieres of, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” and “Gone With the Wind”. Even so, at a time when the country was looming on the edge of World War II, Alphonse “Fred” and Bernice (Pawlowski) Jablonski had cause for celebration with a belated Christmas gift that year on December 26 when they welcomed the birth of Lorraine into their hearts.

Born in Chicago, Illinois where the Jablonski's made their home, Lorraine's father worked for U.S. Steel and her mother remained at home with Lorraine and her brother, Ron. She was raised in a devout, Polish Catholic family, and her faith remained close to her heart throughout her life. When she was a child, Lorraine walked with her best friend, Theresa to church and to the local ice cream parlor for favorite treats. With a heart for giving, she often took flowers to the statue of the Blessed Mother at church, and made Polish dolls for charity. During her youth, Lorraine, or Lorrie as she was affectionately referred, enjoyed roller skating, taking nature walks and singing in the choir. From a young age she also developed a tender spot for animals.

Lorrie attended the local schools, and at the age of 16 she began working in the office at the Little Mission Flower Shop. She went on to graduate from St. Michael's High School on the southeast side of Chicago. When she was 21, Lorrie's office experience found her landing a position with Continental National Bank where she worked as a cashbook machine operator. While working at the bank, Lorrie met the young man who would come to forever hold her heart, John Brennan.

It wasn't long before Lorrie and John fell deeply in love, and on September 11, 1965, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Chicago, she married John who became her life's companion for the next 48 years of their lives together. Eager to begin a family of their own, they soon were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Lori-Ann. In 1973, they relocated to Bourbonnais, Illinois where Lorrie worked with the Bourbonnais school lunch program for several years. Faith continued to be a special part of their lives and they became active members of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Bradley.

Lorrie was a good Christian woman who placed her family above all. She took care of all household chores, and made a good, loving home for John and Lori-Ann. She never complained, and had a patient nature. When it came to special occasions, Lorrie was one class act. Through example, she taught her daughter well about the special and important things in life. Lorrie was practical, had good common sense and was kind and hard working in everything she did. To Lori-Ann, her mother was her very best friend. She could talk to her mother about anything, and in her she found a safe place to confide and seek advice. When Lori-Ann was young, they did many arts and crafts together, and participated in coloring contests. She read her the stories of Anne of Green Gables, and side-by-side they watched the Walton's, holiday shows, Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, and Romper Room.

Lorrie's love for animals was also a trait she passed on to her daughter. They saved every sick and abused animal they came upon. When Lori-Ann was pregnant, they were driving together and while at a stoplight, Lorrie heard a cat meowing. After parking the car and looking through the field, they found an injured little cat with a severe, open wound to the neck. After driving to two veterinarian clinics whose only concern was money, they brought the cat to a vet in Bradley. If not for Lorrie and Lori-Ann, it would not have survived. After naming him Gizmo, Lorrie brought their precious new cat home to care for and love. When she had her cat neutered, she called to check on him. After telling them she was Mrs. Brennan and was checking on her cat after neutering, she soon realized she called her husband's work, and was extremely embarrassed! Little Gizmo soon became a wonderful companion to Lorrie's granddaughter who was born a short time later.

Instrumental in raising her beloved granddaughter, Lauren, Lorrie's daughter was a young, single parent attending nursing school, and she did everything she could to help. Everyday Lorrie took Lauren to McDonald's to meet up with her coffee clutch. They always walked or rode their bikes, and never drove. Lauren counted the time she was in a beauty pageant as a little girl as the greatest day of her life. When asked, “Who is your best friend?”, she exclaimed, “My grandma”, which made Lorrie so happy and proud.

Lorrie treasured her granddaughter in every way. When in grade school, Lorrie treated all of Lauren's classmates as if they were her own grandbabies. She went on every field trip with them, and was there for every lunch since the time Lauren was in first grade until the fifth, with treats for all. She walked her to violin practice every day in the summer, and encouraged her to do what she loved, and to never worry about money. She even taught Lauren how to write her name before kindergarten, and made sure she was well educated by enrolling her in the Bourbonnais Public Library’s Book Club.

When it came to the holidays, Lorrie could hardly wait to get her Christmas boxes out. She absolutely loved Christmas and decorating for the holiday, especially her tree. Lorrie's Christmas trees were so magnificently decorated, one could barely see the green! She also shared her love of decorating with her daughter. Each year they looked forward to their annual trip to Shipshewana, Indiana to seek out all the treasures they could find. They talked so much on the way home they even missed their exit a time or two, ending up in Gary, Indiana. From then on they paid better attention. Among many things, Lorrie also introduced her daughter to her love for garage sales and couponing.

Throughout her life, Lorrie was a lover of many things. She read anything by Glenn Beck, and included Gone With the Wind, Phantom of the Opera, White Christmas, and By the Light of the Silvery Moon as some of her favorite movies. She loved Hard Rock Cafe, cocoa and coffee, and Suzy Snowflakes. Music was food for her soul as she took in various forms of music like Celtic Thunder, Christmas music and the music of Andy Williams. She enjoyed the theater, particularly Phantom of the Opera, and liked the TLC TV Network.

Lorrie took a few memorable trips which made for great times. She loved taking day trips, and trips to Branson, Missouri to the Silver Dollar City, and to Tennessee's, Graceland. She loved the beauty of Mount Rushmore, Niagara Falls, and the Wisconsin Dells. As a family they also enjoyed fun-filled times at Six Flags. She kept quite active throughout the years with birthdays, church events, state and county fairs, parks and Christmas celebrations. Very involved with arts ands crafts, she selflessly made crowns from blessed palms to give to holy people. Lorrie was a member of several bunko clubs, enjoyed bicycling, walking and shopping with friends. She attended Mass every Sunday, spent quality time with friends, and enjoyed her coffee club meetings.

Above all, Lorrie loved her family. With caring and kindness, she showed genuine concern for others, even in the midst of her own health struggles. A practical woman whose common sense and positive outlook on life made days brighter, there was no one quite like Lorrie Brennan with her humble and generous nature. Through tears and headache, she will be dearly remembered and deeply missed.

On Tuesday, April 2, 2013, Lorraine J. "Lorrie" Brennan, age 73, of Bourbonnais, passed away at Riverside Medical Center after a long battle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome and osteoporosis. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, John "Jack"; her daughter, Lori-Ann (Jeff) Bruer of Herscher, IL; one granddaughter, Lauren (Kyle Rybolt) Brennan of Bourbonnais; her brother, Ron (Gwen) Jablonski of New Lenox, IL; two nephews, Scott and Sean Jablonski; and lifelong friend, Theresa (Don) Kostecki of Chicago, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A gathering time for friends and family will be held on Friday, April 5, 2013 from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:30 AM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Bradley, IL. Burial will immediately follow at All Saints Catholic Cemetery in Bourbonnais, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Kankakee Valley and/or Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation (www.aamds.org/dedication). Please visit www.schrefflerfuneralhomes.com where you can share a favorite memory or photo of Lorrie and sing her online guest book.