Bernadette (Bernie) Theresa Lorraine

Bernie Lorraine passed away on October 22, 2024, after an eight-month battle with cancer.

Bernadette Theresa Lorraine was born to Francis and Nadine (Mohrland) Christiano, October 28, 1946, in Walla Walla, WA, at St. Mary Hospital. She attended St. Patrick's Catholic grade school and graduated from Desales High School. She attended Walla Walla College taking classes in Interior Design. She met Charles (Chuck) Lorraine when he worked for her Uncle Gus Locati at Locati Motors on 9th Ave. They married in Coeur d'Alene, ID, March 2, 1968. She preferred to be called Bernie and legally changed her name. She sold Home Interiors and was one of their top sellers.

She and Chuck lived in Willits, CA, Spokane, WA, Eugene, OR, and Umatilla, OR before settling in Athena, OR, and running an antique shop in Athena. Every home Bernie and Chuck owned always had Bernie's creative decorating. She truly had a vision for the art. They then moved to Milton-Freewater, OR, where Chuck had a denture lab pursuing his vocation as a denturist and Bernie ran a cat boarding facility called Purrfect Paws which they had built at their home on Eastside Road in Milton Freewater. Her love of cats was known to many in the area. She was often referred to as "The Cat Lady" by friends and fellow cat lovers. They once had over 20 cats of their own at one time dividing their home into rooms for different ‘sets’ of cats so all would get along. She has photo albums of all their cats and there were many.

She decided to go back to school to get her nursing degree and graduated from Walla Walla Community College in 1984. She worked as an RN for several different doctors in Walla Walla over her 40-year career. She retired from nursing only to go back to working part time in the office of Dr. Morasch. She also worked part time at Marla June’s Clothing and Locati Cellars Tasting Room in Walla Walla.

Chuck passed away in July of 2001. He remained the love of her life. She loved God, music, dancing, and wine and was often seen around Walla Walla listening to music and having a glass of Merlot or dancing at places like VFW or other dancing venues. She also became a member of the Walla Walla Elks Lodge.

She was preceded in death by her father, Francis, and husband, Chuck. She is survived by her mother, Nadine Christiano; siblings, Brian and wife Sam Christiano, Bernard and wife Candi Christiano, Brett and wife Linda Christiano, Mary and husband Vance Kleyn, and Auralea and husband Lorne Blackman; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial will be held at Valley Christian Center in Milton Freewater. Date and time TBD.

We would like to thank Walla Walla Valley Hospice for their help and kindness in her last days. Also, all of her friends that helped her during her battle with cancer and especially family friend, Perry Jones, who took on the responsibility of being her full-time care giver in the last months.

Memorial contributions may be made to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary or Calvary Connection International through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla WA 99362. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.