Obituary of Lorraine A. Thorsell

Lorraine A. Thorsell, 93, formerly of Bemus Point, passed away Saturday June 18, 2022, in Heritage Park Rehab and Skilled Nursing. Lorraine was born August 4, 1928, in Jamestown NY, a daughter of the late Victor and Doris Forsberg Anderson and she never felt the need to move away from this beautiful area and loving community. She attended the Lutheran Bible Institute where she strengthened a spirituality that grounded much of her future path. After LBI she worked at the Jamestown Board of Education. On May 31, 1953, Lorraine married the love of her life, Phillip Thorsell and they enjoyed 69 years of a very a happy marriage. After their wedding, they moved to Washington DC where he was in the service, and she worked for the pentagon. The couple moved to Bemus Point in the late 1950s to raise their five loving children. Lorraine's strong faith began at Immanuel Lutheran church in Jamestown. After moving to Bemus Point, she became a charter member of St. Timothy Lutheran church in the 60's and Christ Lutheran church in 2009. She served on the worship and music committee at both churches. She also loved music and singing and used her talented voice as a steadfast member of church choirs throughout her life. Lorraine was also a strong member of her high school acapella group. The world will be a little less shiny without her musical gifts. Once she became an empty nester, Lorraine took up golfing and got very serious about her knitting. In fact, Lorraine could often be found under a mound of yarn making blankets, hats, scarves, and other clothing for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Lorraine also used her exceptional knitting skill to craft beautiful pieces for both humanitarian and charitable organizations. Lorraine loved nothing better than spending time with her family, traveling, having a great breakfast, laughing, and making the perfect Swedish meatball for her epic Christmas smorgasbord. Simply put, she made this world a better place and she will be missed terribly by her many family and friends. Lorraine is survived by her five children Steven (Valerie) Thorsell, Diane (Robert) Langendorfer, Kristine Holmes, Daniel (Lorraine) Thorsell, and Ingrid (Ken) Hill; her eight grandchildren David (Christine) Van Ness, Aleda (Devin) Burch, Ian Thorsell, Krista Thorsell , Kacie (Rob) Hetrick, Kourtney (Eric) Schuman, Isaac, (Amy) Hasselwood , and Archer Hill, and her five great-grandchildren Kolin and Alexis Hall, Caroline Hetrick , Landry and Torrin Burch. She was preceded in death by her husband Philip Thorsell, October 16, 2021. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 am Saturday in Christ Lutheran Church, 3012 Rt 430, Bemus Point. Friends will be received from 10-11 am Saturday in the church. Inurnment will be in Bemus Point Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Christ Lutheran Church, 3012 Rt. 430, Bemus Point, NY 14712. You may leave words of condolence at www.lindfuneralhome.com.