Obituary for Lorraine Ann Murphy
Lorraine Murphy passed away peacefully on July 18, 2021, at the home she had lived in for sixty-three years, with her wonderful caregivers and two of her beloved granddaughters by her side. Lorraine was preceded in death by her husband, John Murphy, and son, Steve Murphy. She is survived by her daughters, Sing and Joan (Mark LeVine); her daughter-in-law, June; her granddaughters, Ali, Lindsay, Sean, Kendra, and Marina; her younger brother, Remo Guinasso (Susan); and her niece, Julianne Guinasso-Voth (Ryan).
Lorraine was born in San Francisco to Luigi and Rena Romilda Guinasso. She grew up in North Beach and always had a deep passion for The City and her Italian heritage. Lorraine graduated from Presentation High School in 1942 and went on to attend nursing school at St. Mary’s in San Francisco. She worked at St. Mary’s Hospital, Dr. Wald’s office, Peninsula Hospital, and San Bruno Skilled Nursing. She embodied all the best traits of a nurse – whether she was attending to patients, sickly neighbors, or injured pets. She met her husband, John Murphy, while working at Dr. Wald’s office. Lorraine and John were married in 1949 at Star of the Sea Church, and after the birth of their three children, Steve, Sing, and Joan, moved to South San Francisco in 1958. South City and St. Veronica’s Church soon became Lorraine’s home and community.
Lorraine deeply loved her family, faith, friends, neighbors, work, SF sports teams, Frank Sinatra, volunteering, and food – but maybe not always in that order. Lorraine was so many things to so many people. She was warm, generous, compassionate, funny, helpful, fiery, tough, loving, fiercely loyal, and devoted. She was frank and open about her emotions, especially in her older years. Whenever Lorraine would crack a joke, there would always be a shine in her eye – and if you were lucky, you got a wink. Lorraine was an amazing Italian cook and remarkable Manhattan maker. She enjoyed being a hostess, and cooking for her family and the many friends she made throughout her life.
Lorraine truly understood the value of spending time with the people she cherished. She relished the in-person moments she had with all those she treasured. She used to say –– even years before her passing –– “Don’t wait until I’m dead to come see me!” Her door was always open and she was delighted when visitors would walk through it. Whether it was her kids, her granddaughters, other relatives, friends and neighbors, or even friends of her kids, she would offer (or insist on) something to eat or drink, and then would start a conversation with whoever had stopped by.
Lorraine was a devoted Catholic, and very open about it. She went to Church every day until she was physically unable to, had an abundance of rosaries that she used for daily prayers, prayed for people she both knew and didn’t know, and often instructed others to pray to specific saints if they needed something. Being Catholic was a large part of who she was, and to many, she was a true Christian.
Lorraine often spoke about the importance of giving both money and time to causes and organizations one cares about. She was constantly volunteering with various groups, and on occasion, recruited others to volunteer. Those who knew Lorraine knew very well how persuasive she could be for a good cause. It was one of the many inspiring things about her.
Lorraine will be deeply and wholeheartedly missed, but forever adored and remembered as a loving mother and grandmother, a devoted friend, and a truly generous soul.
Due to concerns about COVID-19 risks, Lorraine’s family delayed the scheduling of her memorial service until now. A Mass will be held for Lorraine at St. Veronica Church, 434 Alida Way, South San Francisco, on Feb. 26 at 10:30 am. Masks will be required. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Catholic Worker Hospitality House in San Bruno, one of the charities closest to Lorraine’s heart.
Lorraine was born in San Francisco to Luigi and Rena Romilda Guinasso. She grew up in North Beach and always had a deep passion for The City and her Italian heritage. Lorraine graduated from Presentation High School in 1942 and went on to attend nursing school at St. Mary’s in San Francisco. She worked at St. Mary’s Hospital, Dr. Wald’s office, Peninsula Hospital, and San Bruno Skilled Nursing. She embodied all the best traits of a nurse – whether she was attending to patients, sickly neighbors, or injured pets. She met her husband, John Murphy, while working at Dr. Wald’s office. Lorraine and John were married in 1949 at Star of the Sea Church, and after the birth of their three children, Steve, Sing, and Joan, moved to South San Francisco in 1958. South City and St. Veronica’s Church soon became Lorraine’s home and community.
Lorraine deeply loved her family, faith, friends, neighbors, work, SF sports teams, Frank Sinatra, volunteering, and food – but maybe not always in that order. Lorraine was so many things to so many people. She was warm, generous, compassionate, funny, helpful, fiery, tough, loving, fiercely loyal, and devoted. She was frank and open about her emotions, especially in her older years. Whenever Lorraine would crack a joke, there would always be a shine in her eye – and if you were lucky, you got a wink. Lorraine was an amazing Italian cook and remarkable Manhattan maker. She enjoyed being a hostess, and cooking for her family and the many friends she made throughout her life.
Lorraine truly understood the value of spending time with the people she cherished. She relished the in-person moments she had with all those she treasured. She used to say –– even years before her passing –– “Don’t wait until I’m dead to come see me!” Her door was always open and she was delighted when visitors would walk through it. Whether it was her kids, her granddaughters, other relatives, friends and neighbors, or even friends of her kids, she would offer (or insist on) something to eat or drink, and then would start a conversation with whoever had stopped by.
Lorraine was a devoted Catholic, and very open about it. She went to Church every day until she was physically unable to, had an abundance of rosaries that she used for daily prayers, prayed for people she both knew and didn’t know, and often instructed others to pray to specific saints if they needed something. Being Catholic was a large part of who she was, and to many, she was a true Christian.
Lorraine often spoke about the importance of giving both money and time to causes and organizations one cares about. She was constantly volunteering with various groups, and on occasion, recruited others to volunteer. Those who knew Lorraine knew very well how persuasive she could be for a good cause. It was one of the many inspiring things about her.
Lorraine will be deeply and wholeheartedly missed, but forever adored and remembered as a loving mother and grandmother, a devoted friend, and a truly generous soul.
Due to concerns about COVID-19 risks, Lorraine’s family delayed the scheduling of her memorial service until now. A Mass will be held for Lorraine at St. Veronica Church, 434 Alida Way, South San Francisco, on Feb. 26 at 10:30 am. Masks will be required. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Catholic Worker Hospitality House in San Bruno, one of the charities closest to Lorraine’s heart.