Lorraine D. Ganser Pratt

Slingerlands – Lorraine D. Ganser Pratt

Lorraine D. Pratt, 94, entered into eternal life at the Albany Medical Center on Palm Sunday, April 2, 2023.

Born in Buskirk, NY, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Louis and Anna Marie (Weiland) Ganser and the devoted wife of Donald Eaton Pratt, who passed away in 1989.

Lorraine's early education began in a one-room schoolhouse in Buskirk, NY. She went on to attend Hoosick Falls High School and was a member of the Class of 1944. Upon her graduation, she worked as a seamstress for 17 years at the Undergarment in Hoosick Falls, NY. Lorraine met her husband, Donald, at the Schaghticoke Fair in 1947 and they married on August 10, 1949 in Clifton Park, NY. They honeymooned in York Beach, Maine and fell in love with Long Sands Beach and its breathtaking view of the Nubble Lighthouse. They continued to visit every summer in August and even after Donald passed Lorraine continued the tradition with her family up until 2022. Together they built their Cape Cod style home on a parcel of land given to them by Lorraine's father, Joseph, on the Ganser Farm in Buskirk. They were true soulmates and enjoyed 40 years of blissful marriage as they traveled to each of the lower 48 states, Canada, and Mexico before Donald passed away. Lorraine's only daughter, Sandy, was born in 1961 and after 6 years of being a stay-at-home Mom she reentered the workforce in 1967 becoming a Teacher's Aide at the Cambridge Central School in Cambridge, NY. She retired after 33 years in 2000. Lorraine was a member of the Dutch Reformed Church in Buskirk and served on the Island Hill Cemetery Board of Directors for 25 years. She was an avid animal lover, gardener and also taught herself to crochet. She exhibited many of her hand crocheted bedspreads, tablecloths, and doilies at the Schaghticoke Fair throughout the years and always won the Blue Ribbon! She also loved working on jig saw puzzles. She was so sharp she could do a 1,000 piece puzzle in just a few days. In fact, she finished her last Will Moses puzzle Good Luck Bay three days prior to her passing. Lorraine loved her family with a fervent passion and was Grandma/Great Grandma extraordinaire to her family. She faithfully attended her granddaughter, Lexi's, swim meets across New York State and was known to loudly cheer from the stands. It didn't matter that in a 4-day meet, Lexi might only swim for a total of 5 minutes. She wasn't going to miss anything. As soon as her great grandchildren were born, she continued the tradition of always being present for birthday parties, school plays, concerts, and other important milestone events. Lorraine also faithfully supported the New York State Society Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.) and was present at numerous annual state conferences where she could be found selling raffle tickets to raise money. It needs to be noted, that Lorraine wasn't DAR eligible, yet she enthusiastically gave her time and energy to C.A.R. She also loved the members (whom she considered to be her adopted Daughters) of the General Peter Gansevoort Chapter, DAR and spent many hours working and volunteering at their chapter house, the Van Schaick Mansion in Cohoes, NY. Lorraine truly enjoyed a full and joyous life, remaining active to the very end. She traveled abroad extensively visiting Europe, the Mediterranean, and celebrated her 90th birthday surrounded by her family on a cruise to Alaska.

Lorraine is survived by her loving daughter and son-in-law, Sandra A. & Robert J. Zerrillo of Slingerlands, NY; two grandsons, Jason Zerrillo of Saratoga Springs, NY, and Daniel (Erica) Zerrillo of Slingerlands, NY; one granddaughter Alexandra (John) Fogle of Newport, KY; three great grandchildren Anthony, Abriella & Audrey Zerrillo of Slingerlands, NY; one niece Susan Eaton of New Berlin, WI; and one nephew Brian K. Ganser of Napa Valley, CA.

In addition to her husband, Donald, Lorraine was predeceased by her father, Joseph Ganser; her mother, Anna Ganser; and her siblings, Evelyn Ganser Boyce, Joseph Ganser, Frances Ganser Croyle and Lois Ganser.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Lorraine's family on Friday, April 7, 2023 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the New Comer Funeral Home at 343 New Karner Road, Colonie, NY 12205. Interment will be in the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, NY.

Those wishing to remember Lorraine in a special way may send a contribution to the Van Schaick Mansion Project (Memo: In Memory of Lorraine D. Pratt), c/o Terri Kusche Regent of the General Peter Gansevoort Chapter – 451 Loudon Road, Loudonville, NY 12211-1456.