Lorraine Lopez

Lorraine Lopez, age 73, a long-time Alaskan passed away peacefully on December 2, 2017 at the Alaska Native Medical Center. She was born on January 23, 1944 in Ketchikan, Alaska to Leonard and Winifred Charles. She is the Granddaughter of John Wallace, and Great Granddaughter of Dwight Wallace both great Haida Chiefs and renowned Totem Pole carvers whose Totem Poles can be enjoyed, and admired in Ketchikan, Juneau, and Seattle.
Lorraine grew up in Hydaburg, Alaska. She graduated from Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka Alaska, and went on to attend the Haskell Institute in Kansas.
Lorraine settled in Seattle where she met, and married her husband Manuel in 1968, and started a family. She received her Bachelor’s degree in counseling from Seattle University in 1976. She worked for Charles Willis, Jr., President and CEO of Alaska Airlines.
She began working at East High School as a student counselor for Indian education after moving to Alaska in 1976 while she studied for her teacher’s certification. She received her teacher certification from Alaska Pacific University, and she received her Master’s degree in Education from the University of Alaska, Anchorage in 1992. She taught elementary school at Huffman Elementary, Nunaka Valley Elementary, and Orion Elementary primarily. 2nd graders were her favorite.
In 1993, Lorraine and Manuel moved to Colorado where she worked at Fort Lewis College as a counselor for American Indian and Alaska Native students.
In 1996, the couple moved to Western Washington settling in Silverdale, where she taught at Suquamish Elementary in Suquamish, and Wolfle Elementary in Kingston.
They moved back to Alaska to be closer to her children and grandchildren in 2003.
Lorraine enjoyed fishing, running, skiing, participating in church activities at Holy Family, and Holy Cross, and spending time with her family. Especially, her grandchildren.
Lorraine was preceded in death by mother Winifred Bartlett, her father Leonard Charles, and her sister Evelyn Wayne.
Lorraine is survived by her husband of 49 years Manuel Lopez of Anchorage. Her brothers Wally Charles and Ron Bartlett of Anchorage. Her son Stephen Lopez (Lenora Lopez) and daughter Deborah Brollini, both of Anchorage. Her grandchildren Lyndsey Brollini, Venanzio Brollini, Tiger Lopez, Michael Lopez, Jacob Lopez all of Anchorage Alaska and many nieces and nephews and other relatives.
A memorial service will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church Wednesday 12/13/2017, 2627 Lore Road at 2:00 pm. A reception will follow the memorial service. A graveside service will be held at 11AM on Mon. 12/17/2017 at Rosa Cemetery in Arboles (ROSARY TO BE HELD ON Sun. 12/16/17 at 6PM at Hood Mortuary - Durango).