Lorraine Dorothy (Smith) Martin

Lorraine D. Martin, a longtime Gilroy, CA resident, former General Electric manager, and matriarch of the large Martin family, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, at her son Rob's home in Boise, Idaho, after complications resulting from surgery. She was 92.

Lorraine was born in the small mining town of Gilman, Colorado. She excelled academically as a child and attended Red Cliff Union High School, where she was a standout in band, theater, pep club, basketball, typing, chorus, honor society, and Business Manager of The Nugget. Here, her lifelong love of reading flourished, and she read every book and comic she could get her hands on. She graduated in just three years and was valedictorian of her class.

During high school, Lorraine met her future husband, Robert Martin, while visiting family in New Mexico. He'd try to impress her by riding bulls, pigs, and horses – anything to try and get her attention out of whatever comic she was reading, but to no avail. After spending more time together, going out dancing and to the movies, they decided to stay in touch, write letters, and hope to meet up when they were both back in New Mexico. During this time, she first attended Colorado Women's College in Denver and then moved to Highlands University in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she majored in Business Administration. Lorraine had many suitors, but ultimately, on June 17, 1948, she wrote in her diary there was no one else in the world for her. After graduating in 1951 and against her mother's wishes, Lorraine and Bob snuck off and eloped, officially starting their lives together.

When Bob joined the U.S. Navy, they moved to San Francisco, where Lorraine worked for The Borden Company. Bob left the service in 1953, and they moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, but soon returned to California with their first daughter in tow. They moved to San Jose, CA, in 1958, where their five other children were born. Lorraine worked while the pair raised their young family and always stayed an active member of her local Catholic Parish. In 1969, she became a buyer at General Electric, just a couple of years after her last child was born.

The family moved to North Carolina for several years before returning to San Jose in 1975, where Lorraine was promoted to manager at General Electric. A trailblazer in business, Lorraine was the first woman promoted to that level at General Electric.

After retiring, Lorraine watched after her grandkids, taught Catechism, and volunteered at various institutions until she was in her mid-80s. Her lifelong dedication to service and generosity always made her a popular and beloved member of her community. Anyone who spent a day with Lorraine would see she received more phone calls and visits from family and friends in a day than most people do in a month!

Lorraine was a proud mother and grandmother who enjoyed nothing more than spending time with her children and grandchildren. She had a lively sense of humor and a knack for sneaking cash and candies into her grandkids' pockets. She loved to cook and host family gatherings-the more, the merrier. She was an avid sports fan and enjoyed cheering on her kids and grandkids, as well as the Golden State Warriors and San Francisco 49ers.

She is survived by her six children, three sons-in-law and two daughters-in-law: Terri (Ken), Rob (Maria), Greg (Christi), Joni (George), Christine (Dave), and Tim. She is also survived by her 12 beloved grandchildren, who range in age from 40 to 14: Nick, Tyler, Jillian, Paris, Catalina, Jade, Aurea, Michelle, Sutter, Enzo, R.J., and Christopher-and her only great-grandchild, Alex.

A funeral Mass is scheduled for April 4, 2024 at 11:00 AM at St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church in Morgan Hill. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital.

Published in Gilroy Dispatch · March 26, 2024