Lorraine A. Wiley

Lorraine A. Wiley passed away peacefully on Christmas Day in the company of her beloved family. Lorraine, the second of six children, was born April 16, 1921, on a farm near Seldon, Kansas to LaVate and Annie (Murray) Aumiller. She and her siblings (Kennedy, Beulah, Lyle, Annavate and Ruthie) suffered the tragic loss of their mother when Lorraine was only 8 years old. Through their sadness, Lorraine and the other children were forced to grow up fast. Lorraine developed a work ethic and a stubborn resolve that she would carry always. She was appointed ""family cook"", having no cooking skills, scarce food, and a wood stove. Doing the best she could, the little girl prepared meals consisting of the farm's chickens and homegrown vegetables. Despite eating potatoes almost every day, Lorraine loved them all her life and considered a baked potato to be a ""meal."" Later in life, Lorraine was famous for her pork roasts (with potatoes) homemade stuffing and gravy (with potatoes), and for the ""secret"" ingredient that made her apple pies so delicious (not potatoes!) And it wasn't so secret - as she told everyone it was the ""red hots!"" With little money for new clothes, the little girl and her sisters became skilled seamstresses. When the hand-me-downs wore out, the girls crafted clothes made from cloth scraps and flour sacks. Dresses may have matched the curtains and dishcloths, but that was just the way it was. In 1935, father LaVate, married Opal May Smith. Lorraine was soon blessed with new brothers and sisters: Truman, Orley and Autry; Rochella, Roberta, Ramona and Roxanna. Lorraine loved them all dearly, and they have been devoted to each other all their lives. After moving to Denver, Lorraine met William M. Wiley who had experienced a similar, modest upbringing in Dillon, Colorado. After being introduced by her brother, Kennedy, Lorraine found Bill's charm and good looks fairly resistible, and it took a couple of years to decide he was ""the one."" They were married on July 7, 1944, in New London, Connecticut, where Bill was stationed in the Navy. Lorraine moved back to Denver to wait for Bill's return and gave birth to their first son, Rocky, on May 11, 1945. Bill met his baby son for the first time in October, and Lorraine always delighted in describing this joyous reunion. Second son, Randy, was born on November 26, 1947, and the couple was ecstatic in becoming a young, post-war family. Lorraine's greatest joy was being a wife and a mother. She had two healthy, happy boys and a husband who adored her. They may have had to give up a lot of jitterbugging at the Trocadero Ballroom (and they were always the best dancers on the floor), but they were too busy and happy to care. Raising a family and working hard were not new to Lorraine. Her family always came first. She worked side-by-side with Bill, building and selling several homes, and supporting Bill's career with the Denver Police Department. The Wiley house was always the headquarters for their boys' friends, and Lorraine would shuttle all of them to various sporting events. She got up every morning to fold the newspapers that her boys delivered, and then had to wake them up several times to get them out on their bikes. Lorraine returned to the work force at Continental Airlines to help with her son's college expenses and beamed with the pride only a mother could have when Rocky and Randy received engineering degrees from CSU. Lorraine became a full-time grandmother at the tender age of 43 when Rocky, a single father, moved back into the basement with a 5 and 3 year old – Kelly and Jimmy. The kids' four years living at Grandma's house created a loving, healing place, and the bond they created will be special in their hearts forever. In adulthood, Lorraine, her sister Beulah and cousin Juanita (who they thought of as another sister), were renowned for their magnificent crochet artistry. Every new baby had a beautiful blanket, every house a tablecloth. When the grandkids left for college, it was always with one of Grandma Rainey's special afghans. Nothing was warmer, except perhaps, one of Grandma's hugs. Lorraine sewed her own clothes and fashioned her own patterns into her eighties. The Wiley kids had the most elaborate Halloween costumes and won first prize every year – sharks, superheroes, monsters, whatever they wanted. Other kids may have had straw Easter baskets, but the Wiley kids carried personalized plastic canvas masterpieces! After all the years of caring for others, you would think Lorraine was ready for some ""me-time,"" and although she and Bill made a few trips to Las Vegas and enjoyed day-long fishing outings, her greatest delight was in being a ""grandma."" Her precious grandkids (Rocky's children: Kelly, Jim, Dylan, and Jared; and Randy's kids: Josh and Alysia) were always packed and ready to go to Grandma's, much preferring her company to their parents'. Even after the loss of her beloved husband, Lorraine continued with all the courage and resolve that made her our ""tower of strength."" As was typical of her life, Lorraine was the one to heal us all by lifting our spirits and carrying on. She had enough energy for the great-grandchildren and the adventure began anew. She babysat each, one day per week into her eighties. Garrett, Piper, Riley, Emily, and Jordan were all lucky enough to have the best of this remarkable woman. In November, Lorraine was able to see photos of her newborn great- granddaughter Avery, and there was a smile on her face. Everyone who had the good fortune to know Lorraine, and be part of her life, has been touched in a special way. She was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother and a loyal, generous friend. She is in our thoughts and prayers and will live forever in our hearts. We will miss you ""Sweet Lorraine.""