Jean M. Lorrey

Jean Marie Lorrey, 58, passed away peacefully at her home on March 15, surrounded by loving family, following a courageous battle with esophageal cancer.
Jean was born in Lowell on Sept. 2, 1954, daughter of the late John and the late Elizabeth (Maguire) Lorrey. Her early years were spent in Lowell, where she attended St. Peter's Elementary School. Later she moved with her family to Concord, graduating in 1972 from Concord-Carlisle High School.
Following graduation, Jean worked for Mitre Corporation and Digital Equipment Corp. Her attention to detail, her intelligence and well-loved personality enabled her to advance quickly in the world of high tech.
In 2001, Jean changed careers to operations manager and pastoral associate at St. Patrick's Church in Natick, a position that she cherished. In turn, the parish was blessed by her skilled devotion and sense of fun. The Catholic Church was her true vocation, and the Eucharist was the center of her life. Jean was able to help countless people as well as manage projects, ministries and commissions with her typical upbeat demeanor.
At St. Patrick's and her home parish, St. Francis Parish in Dracut, Jean was a lector, a Eucharistic Minister, altar server and a lay leader in several capacities. She was also a highly respected leader in the Cursillo movement within the Archdiocese of Boston.
While working full-time, Jean earned a bachelor's degree in business from Emmanuel College, graduating summa cum laude as class valedictorian in 2008. Jean then went on to pursue a Master's in Ministry from the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry, taking evening classes while undergoing treatment for a brain tumor. She was just one class away from completion at the time of her cancer diagnosis, which sidelined her valiant effort to finish. She was awarded a Certificate in Pastoral Ministry from Boston College.
Jean had a smile that would light up a room and a sense of humor that could brighten anyone's day. She had incredible compassion and generosity, lived a life of service to others, and showered many with her acts of kindness. She enjoyed vacationing on Cape Cod, traveling, including pilgrimages with the late Rev. Herve Gagnon, trivia, music and cooking. She cherished visits with her three sisters, her beloved nieces and nephew, her uncle and her cousins. Jean had a large circle of devoted friends in Lowell, Dracut, Natick and elsewhere, all of whom adored her. She inspired with her faith and courage; demonstrated how to face challenges with grace, prayer and dignity; and left everyone in a better place having known her.
The Lorrey family wishes to thank the Visiting Nurses of Lowell, in particular Susan Proulx, for their dedication and support. Jean leaves three sisters, Lynne and her husband, Alan Belancik, of Wilton, NH; Terry Brown of Raleigh, NC; Jackie St. Hilaire and her husband Mike, of Dallas, TX; nieces Sarah Brown of Charlotte, NC, and Erin Brown and nephew Danny Brown of Raleigh, NC; her uncle, Bob Maguire of Dracut; her cousins, and her tremendous circle of friends.