Lorraine Delores Tolman, 72, of Greensboro died Sunday, February 19, 2017 at the Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury with her loving family at her bedside.
She was born September 15, 1944 in Hardwick, the daughter of the late Emile and Jeanne (Bellavance) Dufresne. She attended Glover public schools, Catholic School in St. Johnsbury, Hardwick Academy and graduated from Craftsbury Academy in the class of 1962. She married Harold George Tolman later that same year, on December 29, 1962. They recently celebrated 54 years of marriage.
Lorraine was a hard worker and employed at the Come and Eat Restaurant in Hardwick, the Charlmont Restaurant in Morrisville, and cleaned camps to support her future endeavors as a payroll professional. She received her Real Estate License, working with Strout Realty and was proud to have worked as the Payroll Tax Administrator in the Payroll Department at National Life Insurance Co. in Montpelier for more than 15 years from which she retired in 2000.
Lorraine was an active volunteer in her community. She was a member of Mary Queen of all Saints Parish, treasurer and member of Court St. Veronica Catholic Daughter in Hardwick, past member of Hazen Union School Board from 1981 to 1989, auditor of accounts for the Town of Greensboro, Lake View Union School treasurer, founder and past President of the Green MT. Payroll Association for 20 years and member of the New England Payroll Association. She taught catechism at St. Michael’s Church for a few years. As a coaches’ wife, she spent countless hours helping to raise funds for the baseball and basketball teams, washing uniforms and watching and supporting many games. In 2006, Lorraine and her husband Harold received the Greensboro Award, for their many years of service to the Greensboro community. She personalized story books and letters for children called, “Grams Choice Books”. For more than 31 years, Lorraine and Harold would gather with their family on the Maine coast. She enjoyed knitting, sewing, glass etching, and crafts, moose hunting and outdoor activities. She was especially fond of capturing photos of wildlife with her camera systems and sharing the excitement of those with her family.
Survivors include: her husband, Harold of Greensboro; a son, Jefferson Tolman and his wife, Jacquelyn (Ramsay) of Greensboro; three daughters, Laurie Hodgdon of Stowe, Annette Jones and her husband, Jim of Craftsbury, and Penny Jones and her husband, Andy of Elmore; 10 grandchildren: Chris, Brent, Hannah, Nicole, Logan, Emily, Alysha, Kaitlyn, Abigail and Meghan. She was also survived by 9 great –grandchildren; 3 brothers, Leonel Dufresne of East Albany, Lucien Dufresne of Williamstown, Roger “Pudge” Dufresne of Fairfax; 3 sisters, Doris Voyer of Calais, Jeannine Young of Craftsbury and Diane Leslie of Zephyrhills, FL.; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by her parents and siblings, Pauline Smith, Rita Davis and two infant sisters.
Visiting hours will be held Friday evening 6-8 PM. at the Northern Vermont Funeral Home, 60 Elm Street Hardwick.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM. Saturday, February 25, 2017 at St. Norbert’s Catholic Church in Hardwick. Spring burial will be in the Tolman family lot in the Greensboro Village Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Lamoille Area Cancer Network, 198 Farr Avenue, Morrisville, Vermont 05661.
Arrangements are in the care of Dian R. Holcomb of Northern Vermont Funeral Service, 60 Elm Street, Hardwick.