Lorraine J. Vavra


UPDATE: Lorraine Vavra’s memorial service will be held on July 31, in Newbury, MA, on
Plum Island, at 2pm. For more information about the service, and the day, please write to our
temporary email (best way) at steelwingdove-memorial@yahoo.com, or call our voice mail at
781-646-2275. Come help us celebrate her life and life’s work!

Lorraine J. Vavra, 72, of Hampton Falls, NH, and Deer Isle, Maine, passed away peacefully on
April 10, 2022. Lorraine was born on January 11 th ,1950 in Yonkers, NY to Alice and John
Vavra.  Lorraine leaves behind her brother, Douglas Vavra, her nephew Timothy Vavra, and
close friends Adrienne Tybjerg and Christopher Chippendale. She was predeceased by her sister
Christine, and her beloved husband and love of her life, John Bayliss. While her illness robbed
her of much, the memories of her love for John remained bright in her mind.

From a young age Lorraine had an artistic nature and the desire to help others. For many years
she worked as a contractor/painter, designer primarily in Maine. She was a brilliant woman who
later moved to the Boston area and completed a Masters in Social Work degree at BU, and later
completed many certifications in new and broader specialized therapies. She went on to be a
much-loved, versatile and caring clinical social worker specializing in trauma, working as a
private therapist as well as in emergency medicine.

She also went back to college mid-life to earn a degree in painting from Mass College of Art.
Although Lorraine was a prolific painter of landscapes, she never asked for money for her
paintings, but gave them freely to her friends. Lorraine’s love of art led her many times to
Europe and the great museums there, and one of her great regrets was that her illness kept her
from traveling in later life, especially with friends. She also created Sweet Wood cattery and had
a long career educating people about Norwegian Forest Cats and showing her top-award-winning
cats.

Lorraine lived all over New England, but the place closest to her heart was Deer Isle, Maine, and
the paintings of this beautiful place were with her, wherever she was.
Lorraine’s friends and family would like to thank the staff of Belmont Manor, Jewish Family and
Children’s Services, as well as Compassionate Hospice Care of Woburn for their kindness and
support over the past year.  Their mindfulness about her condition and gentle care made a
difficult time easier to bear, and we will always be grateful.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Lorraine’s memory to the MSPCA,
or local animal rescue or vet charity fund of your choice. Her greatest passion was helping those
in need, including her beloved cats.

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