September 17, 1924 - March 5, 2021
Margaret Lorraine Hatch passed away comfortably and peacefully at the age of 96 at The Pines care home in Kimberley.
Lorraine's life began on the family homestead in Maryfield, Saskatchewan. She spent her early years in Saskatchewan and Ontario.
As a young woman she drove trucks for the war effort while her brothers fought overseas. After the war, she moved to the Okanagan, where she met and married Bob Lutz. The couple moved to Copper Mountain, up from Princeton, where Bob worked as a blaster in the mine.
They were soon busy with three children, Gene, Brian, and Fay, each born a year and a quarter apart. From there, the family moved often and tried out several B.C. cities.
Lorraine used her driving expertise to become a taxi driver, a career at which she worked for many years. While living in Trail, Lorraine met Les Long, and they opened and ran a taxi stand/driving school/smoke shop. A fourth child, Leslie, was added to the family.
Our mother, grandmother, and great grandmother will be greatly missed but more importantly she will be remembered for the way she lived her life. She had a socially outgoing personality that led her to be loved and respected by her many friends and large family from all over the world, including many homestay students who considered her to be their grandma, as well as a very good friend, Donna Bernesky.
Lorraine was a generous person, always willing to lend a hand to family or strangers. She was from a very musical family, and her favourite pastime was music and dancing. Her many grandchildren benefitted from her skill as a knitter. She also kept herself busy reading, playing cards, doing puzzles, and caring for animals.
She is survived by her son Brian Lutz (Janet John), daughters: Fay Duley (Ron Whitehead), and Leslie Long, as well as 10 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren. Lorraine was predeceased by her son Gene Lutz in 2017, and by her three brothers and one sister.
We appreciate the compassionate care she received during her final years at The Pines care home. Lorraine had a smile on her face right to the end. On behalf of our Mother, we hope you will pass on a smile or thank you to the health care workers in our care homes. Her family is planning a small private gathering to celebrate her life.