Lorrie N. Woolever

Lorrie N. Woolever
November 3, 1943 - September 3, 2025

It is with a heavy heart that I announce the peaceful passing of Lorrie N. Woolever, 81, my dearest Mom who left us all on September 3, 2025. Comforted by her devoted son and his eternal love for her during her last moments in their home in North Carolina, Lorrie departed this world comfortable in her bed with the grace and dignity of her remarkable life.

Born November 3, 1943, in the Bronx, New York, Lorrie spent her formative years in the scenic Catskill Mountains in the town of Smallwood, alongside her siblings. The natural beauty of the mountains would remain close to her heart throughout her life, instilling in her a deep appreciation for the simple pleasures and quiet strength that nature provides. She loved the seasons and mentioned stories about the lake and ice skating and playing in the snow during winter and swimming in the summers.

As a young woman, Lorrie embraced the role of single mother with unwavering dedication. She built a stable loving family with her three sons: Ricardo (Richard), Carmelo, and Jerry. The family made their initial home in Middletown, New York with her husband of late when her last child was born in Newburgh, NY prompting another where they lived until mom assumed the role of sole provider for her children. Recognizing the importance of education and more sustainable professional opportunities, Lorrie pursued and completed her GED and attended business night school for working parents obtaining her certification mastering the profession of bookkeeping—a skill that would serve her well throughout her career and provide for her family. This career choice exemplified her meticulous attention to detail and natural aptitude with numbers.

As her children grew she realized that she wanted a safer and slower pace that Newburgh no longer offered for her children. Lorrie made the thoughtful decision to relocate her family to Monticello, New York, encouraged by her mother and stepfather Don who loved her children. I recall the day they arrived with a moving truck and off to a new adventure we went. This move proved to be transformative, providing the nurturing environment and the return to nature she desired for raising her boys. In Monticello, Lorrie continued her bookkeeping profession as a Night Auditor at the renowned Concord Hotel, where her precision and reliability made her an invaluable member of the team.

Later in life, Lorrie spent several fulfilling years in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, living near her eldest son Richard. She loved the beach and palm trees. During this time, she worked as a full-charge bookkeeper for several large companies, where her exceptional skills were highly valued. Her ability to balance her checkbook to the penny was a testament to her mathematical precision and organized nature that her eldest son Richard admired but could never quite replicate.

After retiring, Lorrie's sense of family duty called her back to New York, where she selflessly took on the responsibility of caring for her aging mother, relieving her sister Holly of this important task during the final years of her mothers life. This act of devotion exemplified the deep commitment that characterized Lorrie's forgiving spirit in spite of the complex relationship she had with her mother.

Throughout her life, Lorrie possessed an extraordinary capacity for forgiveness and unconditional love—admirable qualities and lessons she imparted to her children. Her wisdom was often shared through various meaningful phrases in throughout her life and time living with me and one stands out the most, "We acquire the strength to overcome". I only recently discovered various writings about her perceptions, thoughts, ideas and her journey of spiritual growth and life all housed in various notepads and notebooks for many years. These writings are a newly discovered testament to the depth of her spirit and her thirst for personal expression and knowledge.

An avid reader with an insatiable curiosity about the world, Lorrie maintained detailed book lists that I also recently discovered, yet another testament to her lifelong love for the written word and learning. She found particular inspiration in the works of Robert Frost, Rod McKuen, Maya Angelou and Kahlil Gibran whose words spoke to her soul and enriched her understanding of the human experience.

Lorrie's generous spirit and desire to help others led her to volunteer at the local literacy center in Monticello, where she taught English and writing to non-English speaking immigrants. Her patience, kindness, and natural teaching ability made her invaluable to the center and students', many of whom she helped to achieve their dreams of better communication and integration into their new community. Her dedication was so valued that she eventually became a paid employee, managing their public computer training center and continuing to touch lives through education and technology.

In Mom's final years, while visiting for Christmas the Covid epidemic hit the nation and we decided to mitigate her risk of exposure. Mom remained with her eldest son Richard for 6 years thereafter in North Carolina surrounded with his love for her and wanted for nothing. During these precious years, mother and son shared countless conversations, opening their hearts and spirits to one another in ways that created deeper understanding, challenged their personal growth and created lasting memories deepening their unwavering bond to one another a true gift I am forever grateful for.

When cancer entered Lorrie's life, she faced it with the same quiet strength and dignity that had carried her through all of life's challenges. In her final days, she was surrounded by my love and support and God granted her the peaceful departure she had hoped for, resting comfortably in her bed, with her son by her side. Her passing has left a profound silence in the home she filled with warmth and wisdom, and even Jasper, her son's beloved canine companion who loved licking her bed coverlet, searches for her presence and mourns her absence.

Lorrie is survived by her three sons: Richard, Carmelo, and Jerry, who are charged with carrying forward her legacy of love, strength, and compassion. She is also pre-deceased by her daughter Doris Grundel who passed away from an illness several years prior leaving her children Alex, Stevie and Melanie. She also leaves behind several other grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and a nephew. Her sibling Carolanne who pre-deceased mom and her surviving siblings Stewart, Bunny, Renee, Holly, and Thad surely cherish the memories of a sister who exemplified the meaning of strength and authenticity.

True to her character, Lorrie's final wishes reflected her lifelong love of animals, particularly cats. As she has requested any memorial donations be made to local animal shelters in her name, ensuring that her compassion for vulnerable creatures continues to make a difference even after her passing.

A memorial service celebrating Lorrie's remarkable life will be held in New York in the Spring of 2026, with details forthcoming. This gathering will provide an opportunity for all who knew and loved her to share memories, find comfort in community, and honor the beautiful legacy of a woman who touched so many lives with her strength, authenticity, grace, wisdom, and unconditional love.

Lorrie N. Woolever lived a life of purpose, love, and service to others. Her memory will forever be a blessing to all who were fortunate enough to know her, and her spirit will continue to guide protect and inspire her family for generations to come. In the words she might have chosen herself, we have indeed acquired the strength to overcome, drawing from the love and wisdom she so generously shared throughout her extraordinary life.