Lorraine Smith, 88, of Trumbull, CT passed away from complications of Parkinson's Disease on Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at St. Vincent's Hospital.
Lorraine was born in the Bronx, NY in 1933. An only child born to immigrant parents she spoke Yiddish fluently and, in addition to public school, attended progressive Jewish supplementary school and high school. She matriculated at Brooklyn College, earning a degree in psychology and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa society graduating Magna Cum Lauda. She was granted a fellowship to attend Cornell University where she attained a Master's Degree in Child Development and Family Studies and where she met and became engaged to her husband William Smith. Later she obtained advanced professional certifications from Fairfield University, Southern Connecticut State University and the University of Bridgeport.
Having overcome polio as a teenager, Lorraine was driven, hard-working and committed to excellence throughout her life. Her first job was as a school psychological examiner for the Chemung County (NY) school district. She moved to Trumbull in 1963 and was the first Special Guidance teacher for students with social/emotional learning disabilities. As an employee of the Trumbull public school system for 29 years, she held positions as school psychologist, Chairman of Special Education, Director of Pupil Personnel Services and ultimately Assistant Superintendent of Schools. She was a dedicated champion for children and families, and in 1975 was instrumental in in developing and implementing the school system's processes and procedures to meet the requirements of Public Law 94-142 the new law that guaranteed a free and appropriate public education to all children with a disability. For the state of Connecticut, she served as co-chairperson of the committee that facilitated the development of the state's Birth to Three initiative.
An active member in Congregation B'nai Israel, Lorraine held various committee and leadership positions and was one of the first women to serve on the synagogue Board of Trustees. Among family and friends she was known as an incisive listener who was always available for good counsel and advice. She was a devoted daughter, loving wife and mother, and respected professional.
Lorraine is survived by her husband of 66 years, Bill Smith of Trumbull, CT, children Karen Kennan and her husband Wayne of Palo Alto, CA, Janet Thrope and her husband David of Acton, MA, and grandchildren, Hallie Kennan, Emily Kennan and Spencer Thrope.
Graveside funeral service at Congregation B'nai Israel Cemetery in Monroe, CT.
Source: Abraham L. Green and Son Funeral Home, Fairfield, CT
Lorraine was born in the Bronx, NY in 1933. An only child born to immigrant parents she spoke Yiddish fluently and, in addition to public school, attended progressive Jewish supplementary school and high school. She matriculated at Brooklyn College, earning a degree in psychology and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa society graduating Magna Cum Lauda. She was granted a fellowship to attend Cornell University where she attained a Master's Degree in Child Development and Family Studies and where she met and became engaged to her husband William Smith. Later she obtained advanced professional certifications from Fairfield University, Southern Connecticut State University and the University of Bridgeport.
Having overcome polio as a teenager, Lorraine was driven, hard-working and committed to excellence throughout her life. Her first job was as a school psychological examiner for the Chemung County (NY) school district. She moved to Trumbull in 1963 and was the first Special Guidance teacher for students with social/emotional learning disabilities. As an employee of the Trumbull public school system for 29 years, she held positions as school psychologist, Chairman of Special Education, Director of Pupil Personnel Services and ultimately Assistant Superintendent of Schools. She was a dedicated champion for children and families, and in 1975 was instrumental in in developing and implementing the school system's processes and procedures to meet the requirements of Public Law 94-142 the new law that guaranteed a free and appropriate public education to all children with a disability. For the state of Connecticut, she served as co-chairperson of the committee that facilitated the development of the state's Birth to Three initiative.
An active member in Congregation B'nai Israel, Lorraine held various committee and leadership positions and was one of the first women to serve on the synagogue Board of Trustees. Among family and friends she was known as an incisive listener who was always available for good counsel and advice. She was a devoted daughter, loving wife and mother, and respected professional.
Lorraine is survived by her husband of 66 years, Bill Smith of Trumbull, CT, children Karen Kennan and her husband Wayne of Palo Alto, CA, Janet Thrope and her husband David of Acton, MA, and grandchildren, Hallie Kennan, Emily Kennan and Spencer Thrope.
Graveside funeral service at Congregation B'nai Israel Cemetery in Monroe, CT.
Source: Abraham L. Green and Son Funeral Home, Fairfield, CT
Lorraine Smith, 88, of Trumbull, CT passed away from complications of Parkinson's Disease on Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at St. Vincent's Hospital.
Lorraine was born in the Bronx, NY in 1933. An only child born to immigrant parents she spoke Yiddish fluently and, in addition to public school, attended progressive Jewish supplementary school and high school. She matriculated at Brooklyn College, earning a degree in psychology and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa society graduating Magna Cum Lauda. She was granted a fellowship to attend Cornell University where she attained a Master's Degree in Child Development and Family Studies and where she met and became engaged to her husband William Smith. Later she obtained advanced professional certifications from Fairfield University, Southern Connecticut State University and the University of Bridgeport.
Having overcome polio as a teenager, Lorraine was driven, hard-working and committed to excellence throughout her life. Her first job was as a school psychological examiner for the Chemung County (NY) school district. She moved to Trumbull in 1963 and was the first Special Guidance teacher for students with social/emotional learning disabilities. As an employee of the Trumbull public school system for 29 years, she held positions as school psychologist, Chairman of Special Education, Director of Pupil Personnel Services and ultimately Assistant Superintendent of Schools. She was a dedicated champion for children and families, and in 1975 was instrumental in in developing and implementing the school system's processes and procedures to meet the requirements of Public Law 94-142 the new law that guaranteed a free and appropriate public education to all children with a disability. For the state of Connecticut, she served as co-chairperson of the committee that facilitated the development of the state's Birth to Three initiative.
An active member in Congregation B'nai Israel, Lorraine held various committee and leadership positions and was one of the first women to serve on the synagogue Board of Trustees. Among family and friends she was known as an incisive listener who was always available for good counsel and advice. She was a devoted daughter, loving wife and mother, and respected professional.
Lorraine is survived by her husband of 66 years, Bill Smith of Trumbull, CT, children Karen Kennan and her husband Wayne of Palo Alto, CA, Janet Thrope and her husband David of Acton, MA, and grandchildren, Hallie Kennan, Emily Kennan and Spencer Thrope.
Graveside funeral service at Congregation B'nai Israel Cemetery in Monroe, CT.
Source: Abraham L. Green and Son Funeral Home, Fairfield, CT
Lorraine was born in the Bronx, NY in 1933. An only child born to immigrant parents she spoke Yiddish fluently and, in addition to public school, attended progressive Jewish supplementary school and high school. She matriculated at Brooklyn College, earning a degree in psychology and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa society graduating Magna Cum Lauda. She was granted a fellowship to attend Cornell University where she attained a Master's Degree in Child Development and Family Studies and where she met and became engaged to her husband William Smith. Later she obtained advanced professional certifications from Fairfield University, Southern Connecticut State University and the University of Bridgeport.
Having overcome polio as a teenager, Lorraine was driven, hard-working and committed to excellence throughout her life. Her first job was as a school psychological examiner for the Chemung County (NY) school district. She moved to Trumbull in 1963 and was the first Special Guidance teacher for students with social/emotional learning disabilities. As an employee of the Trumbull public school system for 29 years, she held positions as school psychologist, Chairman of Special Education, Director of Pupil Personnel Services and ultimately Assistant Superintendent of Schools. She was a dedicated champion for children and families, and in 1975 was instrumental in in developing and implementing the school system's processes and procedures to meet the requirements of Public Law 94-142 the new law that guaranteed a free and appropriate public education to all children with a disability. For the state of Connecticut, she served as co-chairperson of the committee that facilitated the development of the state's Birth to Three initiative.
An active member in Congregation B'nai Israel, Lorraine held various committee and leadership positions and was one of the first women to serve on the synagogue Board of Trustees. Among family and friends she was known as an incisive listener who was always available for good counsel and advice. She was a devoted daughter, loving wife and mother, and respected professional.
Lorraine is survived by her husband of 66 years, Bill Smith of Trumbull, CT, children Karen Kennan and her husband Wayne of Palo Alto, CA, Janet Thrope and her husband David of Acton, MA, and grandchildren, Hallie Kennan, Emily Kennan and Spencer Thrope.
Graveside funeral service at Congregation B'nai Israel Cemetery in Monroe, CT.
Source: Abraham L. Green and Son Funeral Home, Fairfield, CT
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