Lorraine Marie (Brunetti) Polson was granted her angel wings on November 6th, 2022, just 10 days prior to her 92nd birthday. Lorraine was born in Denver, Colorado to Josephine Lucille LaGuardia Brunetti and John Charles Brunetti on November 16, 1930. She grew up in her family home at 32nd and Osage and attended schools in North Denver and at St. Joseph’s High School. Lorraine was baptized, received her First Communion and Confirmation at Mount Carmel Church.
Her father, John Brunetti and mother, Josephine LaGuardia, had 4 children, John, Delores, Lorraine and Anthony. As time passed, John and Josephine were divorced and Josephine moved with her 4 children to her father Gerado’s home at 32nd & Osage St., in North Denver after Josephine’ mother, Rosina, had passed. The oldest son, John, joined the Navy, Lorraine’s sister Delores quit school to go to work and help her mother, Josephine, support the family. That left Lorraine to care for her younger brother, Anthony. She became a second mother to Anthony, and they have maintained that relationship throughout the years.
Lorraine met her husband Chuck, who lived just down the street from her at 34th and Osage at the age of 16. Chuck and Lorraine were married in 1948 and had 3 children, Terri, Chuck and Deanie. The family lived in North Denver at the notary house apartments at 34th and Navajo until they moved to the house located on W. 34th Avenue next door to St. Patrick’s grade school where her children attended school. After a few years, Lorraine and Chuck followed Lorraine’s mother and sister who moved north to the Westminster/Arvada/Thornton areas where Lorraine’s family lived for several years.
In her younger years, Lorraine worked as a cook at Lake Junior High School and in the day care center at Front Range Community College. The little ones at the day care center referred to her as “grandma” and would look to her for comfort when they needed a loving hand.
Lorraine was a loving and devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved her family fiercely and unconditionally. She is especially loved by her grandchildren where she leaves a precious legacy in each of their hearts. She gave of herself and her time and showed her love in a way that has taught them how to love, protect and care for their own children…and all children. Her passing is a tremendous loss to all her family.
Lorraine has lived at the Green Houses at Marisol in Loveland since December 2015, where she was lovingly cared for and known for her spicy, spirited, determined personality. She became a favorite at the Green House because she never lost her feisty, spunky and funny ways. She certainly made her wishes known there and was not about to deviate from what she wanted. The staff loved her for that. She also tried to teach the staff and nurses how to speak Italian and they got a lot of good laughs just trying. Instead of pushing her call button, she would put two fingers to her mouth and whistle loudly for help when she needed it, just as she did when she called her kids home when they were young. She never lost her determination or her will to believe she could do anything she wanted.
Lorraine is survived by her daughter Terri Johnson, daughter in law, Christa (Charles) Polson, daughter Geraldine (Wayne) Stengel, brother Anthony (Marcia) Brunetti, sister-in-law, Barbara White and grandchildren, Scott Johnson, Wendi (Kelly) Jensen, Amy Johnson, Shawni La Guardia (Adam) Hilton, Charles M. (Shalon) Polson, Cammy K. (Daryl) Johnson and 15 great grandchildren, Nick Jensen, Tyler Jensen, Colton Jensen, Aiden Jensen, Tanner Johnson, Quinn Johnson, Jace Johnson, Zoe Johnson, Chalcey (Andrew) Carter, Chas (Grace) Polson, Peyton Polson, Hunter La Guardia, Payton Bellm, Lanie Bellm, and Kaizen Johnson, three great-great grandsons, Gryffin Johnson, Adam Carter and Liam Carter and numerous nieces and nephews and dear friend, Kennda Varnum.
She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Charles V. Polson (Chuck) of 49 years, her son Charles R. Polson (Chuck), her mother, Josephine Lucille Luchetta, stepfather, Joe Luchetta, father, John Brunetti, sister Delores English, brother John Brunetti, her father-in-law, Lee Polson, mother-in-law, Virgie Polson, and brothers-in-law, Dan English, Donald Polson, Richard Polson, James Polson and sisters-in-law, LouAnn Polson and Carmen Polson.
This Italian saying has been handed down to our families by Lorraine’s mother: “E VOLUA BENE TE SIA SIA TUTTA A MONDO MILLE MILLE CEND CEND “which is not an exact translation but to our family it means “I WILL LOVE YOU ALL THE WORLD FOR MILLIONS AND MILLIONS”. This saying is repeated by all of Lorraine’s children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren today.
Services and Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, December 2nd, 2022, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church at 1730 W 12th St, Loveland, CO 80537, (970) 635-5800. Services will start promptly at 10:45 AM. Immediately following the service, a Celebration of Life luncheon will be held at St. John’s in the Bread of Life Hall. Friends and family will have an opportunity to say a few words about Lorraine at the Celebration of Life if they wish. In lieu of flowers, if you are moved, please donate to the Dominican Home Health Agency, 2501 Gaylord Street, Denver, CO 80205-5631. Or donate online to the Alzheimer’s Association in her honor.
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