Lorraine M. Churchill

Lorraine M. Churchill (née Alward), 96, of Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 20, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.

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Born in Paterson, New Jersey, Lorraine was the cherished and only child of Chester and Carrie Alward. She grew up in northern New Jersey and graduated from Butler High School with the Class of 1947. Following high school, she briefly attended a fashion institute in New York City, nurturing her natural creativity and lifelong love of sewing.

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Lorraine went on to work as a legal secretary with several local New Jersey law firms, including Nurik & Lefkowitz LLC in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, where she was known for her diligence and professionalism. In addition to her career, she devoted many years to being a homemaker in Pompton Lakes and Wayne, where she lovingly raised her only son, Bruce Murray.

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From childhood, Lorraine had a remarkable talent for sewing, knitting, and crocheting. She often made her own clothes as a young girl and continued these crafts throughout her life.  She created garments for her family and lovingly sewing doll clothes for her granddaughter Janae’s cherished Monster High doll collection. She also knitted and sewed beautiful pillowcases and afghans, each piece crafted with care.

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Lorraine delighted in helping to raise her granddaughter Janae, with whom she shared a special and loving bond. She was an outstanding cook and will be fondly remembered by family and friends for her homemade ravioli and her wonderful assortment of pies, prepared from treasured family recipes.

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Her greatest joy in life was her family. Lorraine possessed a light and gentle sense of humor, always able to find brightness in any situation. She was an old-school woman in the best sense, she was private, quiet, and perfectly content at home, surrounded by those she loved. She treasured summer vacations at the Jersey Shore, especially in Point Pleasant Beach, and fondly remembered a special trip to Cape Cod with her family.

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Lorraine was deeply devoted to her Catholic faith. She was a longtime parishioner of St. Mary’s R.C. Church in Pompton Lakes and later of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Wayne, where her faith remained steady throughout her life.

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She will be remembered as a loving mother, devoted grandmother.  She was truly a special person who loved her family deeply.  Lorraine touched the lives of everyone around her and will be sincerely missed by all those that knew her.

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Lorraine is survived by her son Bruce Murray and his wife Carolyn Green-Murray of Wayne, NJ, her only granddaughter Janae Murray of Wayne, NJ, her cousin Bob Nicholson of Stockholm, NJ, and other loving extended family and friends.