COLONIE - Maxine Lorraine Cress, 94, peacefully passed away on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at The Hospice Inn at St. Peter's Hospital.
Lorraine, as she preferred to be called, was born on March 27, 1929 to the late Edson Smith and Bessie Eldora in Waterbury, Conn. She received her early education in Conn, Maine and New York.
Lorraine loved to travel and upon graduating from high school, she moved to Seattle, Wash. and went to work for a publishing company. She then traveled to Tokyo, Japan and became a federal government employee of the USA for two and a half years. During that time, she met and married a USAF member stationed there and honeymooned on Mt. Fuji. While in Japan, she gave birth to her eldest daughter, Gaylene. Upon their return to the States, they settled in Riverside, Cali.
She then worked for Revere Copper and Brass Company. Lorraine returned to the Albany area where she gave birth to her youngest daughter, Leslie. She became employed by the Times Union and retired after 35 years.
Lorraine continued to travel after retirement and enjoyed many cruises - her favorite was when they went through the Panama Canal and spent the winters in San Diego, Cali.
She was a member of Pine Grove United Methodist Church and a member of the H.B. Kuhn Senior Center in Colonie where she enjoyed many Tuesdays quilting, embroidering and having lunch with her girlfriends.
Sadly, Lorraine was predeceased by her daughter, Gaylene Horton, who passed in 2007. Survivors include her youngest daughter, Leslie Cress-Beauregard and Leslie's husband, Robert, who she called her son. She is also survived by granddaughters, Jennifer Spiewak (Jody) and Melissa Olcott; two great grandchildren also survive as well as several nephews. She was predeceased by her sisters, Betty, Robena and Lucille.
Lorraine, (Mom), lived life to the fullest and was loved by anyone and everyone who knew her. She was a beautiful woman inside and out and will be forever loved to the moon and back. She will be deeply missed.
Leslie and Bob wish to thank the entire staff of the Teresian House and all the angels who care and comfort their patients at The Hospice Inn at St. Peter's Hospital.
Services will be private at the convenience of Leslie and Bob.
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