Lorraine Edith (Atkins) Abkowitz
Lorraine Edith (Atkins) Abkowitz, 88, formerly longtime resident of Lexington, MA passed away peacefully on December 23, 2020 after a short battle with COVID-19. Loving daughter of her beloved and deceased parents, Nathan and Ruth (Barenberg) Atkins and dear wife of 63 years to her predeceased husband, Stanley Abkowitz. The two met on Revere Beach and fell in love. Beloved mother to Miles Abkowitz and wife, Donna O’Leary-Abkowitz; Susan Abkowitz and spouse, Donna Rouleau; and Robin Feiner and husband, Adam Feiner. Proud grandmother of Sarah Torrice (daughter of Miles and Donna) and husband, David; Andrew Feiner and partner, Rachel; Jessica Feiner and fiancé, Eric, and Jason Feiner and partner, Sienna.
Lorraine was a graduate of the Chelsea High School class of 1950 and studied Communications at Emerson College. She also studied performing arts and modeling at the Powers School in Boston. She had a calling for the stage, and was an avid music lover, pianist and talented singer. She performed, for decades, with Choral ensembles including Sweet Adelines, Makhaylah, and Lexington Pops and in community theater productions. With a forte in Language Arts, she enjoyed working in the Lexington schools for many years and later was a volunteer tutor of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Lorraine and her husband, Stanley, were members of Temple Emunah since 1962 and were involved in the early building and growth of the synagogue. She was also a dedicated participant in both Sisterhood and Hadassah.
Clever, word-savvy and not camera shy, Lorraine loved to recall her appearances on the TV game show, Concentration, hosted by Hugh Downs in 1966 where she solved the puzzles to win two games, taking home cash and prizes including a trip to Bermuda. With a passion for travel, Lorraine enjoyed family vacations, joined Stanley at business conventions, and took special trips to London, Monaco, and Alaska with her daughter, Susan. She also enjoyed group tours to Israel, Italy, and Greece.
Lorraine delighted in the joy of her family during the many holiday gatherings at the homes of her son, Miles and daughter, Robin. She had a large circle of friends, a strong sense of community, and was known for her great sense of humor right to the end, despite challenges with dementia.
A funeral service with her closest loved ones was held graveside at Sharon Memorial Park, led by Rabbi Lerner. The family would like to thank the caring staff at the Lahey Hospital in Burlington, as well as the loving staff at Atrium at Drum Hill in N. Chelmsford. Lorraine will be greatly missed by her family, colleagues, and community, but the memory of her vibrant spirit will endure.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following philanthropies: Abkowitz Family Israel and Camp Scholarship Fund to Temple Emunah, 9 Piper Road, Lexington, MA 02421, Healthcare Heroes Emergency Response Fund at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, or Actors Fund (help for the Entertainment community COVID-19 emergency relief).