Sister L. Lorraine Brooks (formerly Sister M. Helena), 79, a Sister of Mercy for 61 years, died Monday, September 17, 2012, at Warde Health Center, Windham, New Hampshire, after a long illness. A native of Nashua, Sister Lorraine was the daughter of George and Irene (Trudeau) Brooks.
Sister Lorraine received a B.A. degree in English and history from Mount St. Mary College, Hooksett, New Hampshire, and M.Ed. degree from Boston University, and an M.A. in religious education from Emmanuel College in Boston, Massachusetts. For many years she taught at Catholic elementary and high schools in New Hampshire, including St. Patrick in Berlin; McDonald School in Manchester; St. John in Laconia; St. Christopher in Nashua; St. Mary in Dover; St. Mary in Claremont; and Bishop Brady High School in Concord. She also taught and tutored special needs students in public schools in Stark, Whitefield, and Wolfeboro, New Hampshire.
After receiving her degree in religious education, Sister Lorraine ministered at the Christian Life Center in Keene, New Hampshire. She served as religious education coordinator at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Littleton, and later at St. Anthony Parish in Manchester. She was director of religious education at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Keene, as well as at St. Mary Parish in Glens Falls, New York, and St. William Parish in Warwick, Rhode Island. For a time, Sister Lorraine served as a residence counselor at the Antrim Girls’ Shelter in Antrim, New Hampshire.
Family members include her brother and sister-in-law, Henry and Beverly Brooks of Wilton, N.H.; her nieces Brenda Lannon of Pelham, N.H., and Melissa Brooks of Wilton, N.H.; and her nephews William Stinson of Milford, N.H., and George Brooks of Nashua, N.H. Sister Lorraine was predeceased by her brother, George Brooks.
Calling hours will be 9:30-10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, September 19, at the Warde Health Center, 21 Searles Road, Windham, New Hampshire. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Mercy Chapel at Warde Health Center. Burial will be at Saint Joseph Cemetery, Bedford, New Hampshire.
Memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 21 Searles Road, PO Box 420, Windham, NH 03087-0420.