Lorraine M. Hempe

Lorraine M. (Paradise) Hempe, 84, of Narragansett died at home Jan. 14 2017 after gracefully enduring several years of health issues. She was married to Rudolph A. Hempe for 51 years. Born in Providence June 10, 1932, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Mary (Sullivan) Paradise. A graduate of St. Xavier High School in Providence, she worked as a secretary at various places over the year, notably at the Roger Williams Park Museum where she met her husband. Later, after her children were grown, she was as a receptionist at The Narragansett Times in Wakefield and at Bay Realty in Narragansett. Known to friends and family members as “Tod,” a nickname that continually confounded people, she had an outgoing, fun personality. She was widely regarded as a “mother” at the Narragansett Times, which employed a large number of young journalists. She was active in the community especially with the South County Junior Women’s Club and St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Parish. At that church she was heavily involved with the Cub Scout/Boy Scout program and was especially proud to see her son and two of her grandsons all became Eagle Scouts. She was an accomplished cook, specializing in German and Italian cuisine, and enjoyed sewing. She was noted for her collection of cardinal bird memorabilia, which was evident in every nook and cranny of her home. She was especially proud of her grandchildren, five of whom are currently in various universities and colleges. She took part in a number of her husband’s activities including the Kingston Chamber Music Festival, South County Hospital and the URI Master Gardener Program Besides her husband, she is survived by four children, Barbara Martyna, of Charlotte, NC, Christine Choiniere of North Attleboro, David Hempe of Wakefield and Judi Simonini of Warwick; 10 grandchildren: Emilie, Marcus and Ana Simonini; Brian and Max Hempe; Nicole, Anissa and Katelyn Choiniere; Aubrie and Charles McVay; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Claire Paradise of Warwick and several nephews and nieces. She was pre-deceased by two sisters, Marie Hickey and Rita Paradise. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Church, Point Judith Road, Narragansett at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19. Burial will be in Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter. Calling hours will be Wednesday, Jan. 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia St., Wakefield. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to South County Hospital, the American Diabetes Association or Hope Hospice & Palliative Care of Rhode Island.