Obituary for Lorraine L. Cepiel (McGraw)
COHOES Lorraine L. Cepiel, 80, entered into eternal rest Thursday, May 18, 2023 at Samaritan Hospital surrounded by her loving family. She is now reunited with her lifelong love and husband of 59 years Edward R Cepiel who passed away in 2019. Born in Cohoes on January 4, 1943 she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Loretta Provost McGraw.
She is survived by her beloved 3 children, Mark J. Cepiel (Linda) of Stillwater, Eric E. Cepiel (MaryBeth) of Waterford and Michele M. DeCicco (Joseph) of Halfmoon and by her 7 adored grandchildren; Riley, Ian, Brody, Shannon and Cole Cepiel and Tabitha and TaiLynn DeCicco; her brother, Michael McGraw (Christine), and her sister in law Marilyn Fortin (Louis) and brother in law Donald Cepiel Sr (Stacy) as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her brothers, Anthony and Joseph McGraw.
Lorraine attended the former Keveny Memorial Academy in Cohoes and worked in several jobs before her marriage to Edward. She was a full time wife and mom for many years until taking a position at the Boston Store in the former Latham Circle Mall where she worked as a Bookkeeper for 15 years until her retirement.
She was active for many years while raising her children as a school volunteer in the Cohoes Consolidated Catholic Schools and the many other civic and sporting events her children were involved in. She continued that commitment with all her grandchildren who affectionately called her “Mommy Ma” by frequently babysitting, attending and sometimes volunteering at as many events as possible that they too were all involved in. She was the ultimate caregiver and healer and directly cared for her parents, brothers, and husband when all suffered health issues before passing away. She truly had a kind heart and soul, putting all others’ needs before her own, and will be greatly missed as the eternal matriarch of her family.
Lorraine’s smile and personality were like no other, and she had a way of turning every day into a good one for others. She met every challenge that she faced in life with strength, character, charisma and dignity, including 6 combined overseas military tours of her husband and son. She was renowned for her cooking and immensely enjoyed any event to gather family and friends and her summer months at her and Ed’s camp at Cronin’s Golf Resort and Campground where she basked in great joy in spending time with family and friends. She was a devout Catholic at Holy Trinity Church in Cohoes and had a special love of animals, especially her pet companions Stubby and Echo. She loved her neighbors and her children's friends, and the neighborhood where she raised her family. She was an avid reader who devoured books at a dizzying pace, loved to watch movies, and was very passionate and knowledgeable about her gardening of flowers and plants to enhance the beauty of the world, just as she did herself wherever she was.
Calling hours are Monday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 105 Vliet Blvd in Cohoes.
Funeral services will be Tuesday at 9:45 a.m. from the funeral home and at 10:30 a.m. in St. Michael’s Church, 20 Page Ave, Cohoes. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256 or Wreaths Across America for the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery at wreathsacrossamerica.org
She is survived by her beloved 3 children, Mark J. Cepiel (Linda) of Stillwater, Eric E. Cepiel (MaryBeth) of Waterford and Michele M. DeCicco (Joseph) of Halfmoon and by her 7 adored grandchildren; Riley, Ian, Brody, Shannon and Cole Cepiel and Tabitha and TaiLynn DeCicco; her brother, Michael McGraw (Christine), and her sister in law Marilyn Fortin (Louis) and brother in law Donald Cepiel Sr (Stacy) as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her brothers, Anthony and Joseph McGraw.
Lorraine attended the former Keveny Memorial Academy in Cohoes and worked in several jobs before her marriage to Edward. She was a full time wife and mom for many years until taking a position at the Boston Store in the former Latham Circle Mall where she worked as a Bookkeeper for 15 years until her retirement.
She was active for many years while raising her children as a school volunteer in the Cohoes Consolidated Catholic Schools and the many other civic and sporting events her children were involved in. She continued that commitment with all her grandchildren who affectionately called her “Mommy Ma” by frequently babysitting, attending and sometimes volunteering at as many events as possible that they too were all involved in. She was the ultimate caregiver and healer and directly cared for her parents, brothers, and husband when all suffered health issues before passing away. She truly had a kind heart and soul, putting all others’ needs before her own, and will be greatly missed as the eternal matriarch of her family.
Lorraine’s smile and personality were like no other, and she had a way of turning every day into a good one for others. She met every challenge that she faced in life with strength, character, charisma and dignity, including 6 combined overseas military tours of her husband and son. She was renowned for her cooking and immensely enjoyed any event to gather family and friends and her summer months at her and Ed’s camp at Cronin’s Golf Resort and Campground where she basked in great joy in spending time with family and friends. She was a devout Catholic at Holy Trinity Church in Cohoes and had a special love of animals, especially her pet companions Stubby and Echo. She loved her neighbors and her children's friends, and the neighborhood where she raised her family. She was an avid reader who devoured books at a dizzying pace, loved to watch movies, and was very passionate and knowledgeable about her gardening of flowers and plants to enhance the beauty of the world, just as she did herself wherever she was.
Calling hours are Monday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 105 Vliet Blvd in Cohoes.
Funeral services will be Tuesday at 9:45 a.m. from the funeral home and at 10:30 a.m. in St. Michael’s Church, 20 Page Ave, Cohoes. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256 or Wreaths Across America for the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery at wreathsacrossamerica.org