Obituary of Lorraine Trottier
Lorraine Bissonnette was born in Seaview, Nova Scotia on October 30th, 1933.
At the age of 3 years old, her mother Amanda Bissonnette boarded a train from Nova Scotia with 4 children, and travelled all the way here to Welland to join her husband Albert Bissonnette, who had purchased a home on Cady Street, just behind Sacred Heart Church, and later built an apartment building, where they lived for the rest of their family life.
Lorraine was later joined by 4 more siblings and always enjoyed close relationships with her brothers and sisters. She had her first job as a saleslady as a young woman at Exclusive Ladies’ Wear downtown in the 1950s.
In 1957, she met Gabriel (Gabe) Trottier, who became her husband, and they went on to welcome 4 children; Marc, Sylvia, Michel and Patrick. Gabe played guitar and came from a very musical family of 10 siblings, and we enjoyed many weekends surrounded by his family, many cousins, and wonderful music. We also enjoyed many gatherings with Lorraine’s brothers and sisters, who clearly loved each other deeply, were always fun, full of laughter, loving and welcoming!
Lorraine was a wonderful seamstress, singer and cook and while raising her children as a devoted mother and wife, she continued to work part time as a saleslady at stores including, the Metropolitan store on Lincoln Street, then the Finishing Touch Bathroom Boutique and Mappins Jewelry store at the Seaway Mall. She loved her work, chatting with people, making new friends and always welcomed you with a warm smile and a willingness to help.
She was a historian and a voracious reader and could read a thick paperback faster than anyone we ever knew! She even went back to college later in life to get her certificate in Creative Writing. She loved to write and started writing a book while retired about her sister Sylvia who had been a missionary in Papua, New Guinea. Her sister Sylvia Bissonnette-Deshais went on to publish this book, called “Un parcours, pas comme les autres” (A shortcut, unlike any other).
Lorraine grew up with a wonderful circle of friends called “Les girls” made up of 10 lifelong friends who met regularly to take the children on picnics, to the beach, and later, to meet for lunch and celebrate each other’s birthdays. In fact, the Welland Tribune did an article on them once celebrating their 50 years of friendship! Mom unfortunately developed dementia in her 80’s and was moved to the Foyez Richelieu, where she enjoyed the best care, and where several of her friends from “Les Girls” began to meet her there too, reunited again.
Mom was the best person to have on your side. She was generous with her love and was loved by everyone who knew her, and easily radiated love back. She enjoyed socializing and was always ready with a hug, a smile, to give advice and to cheer you up.
She was a very strong, positive, caring and loving woman who was devoted to her children, grandchildren, family and friends and had a warm smile for you, right up until her last days. Lorraine will be deeply missed and forever loved, and we are all grateful to have had been blessed with her in our lives.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 5th, 2025, at the Welland Funeral Home, Cremation and Reception Centre, 827 East Main St., from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m., followed by a funeral mass at 11:30 a.m. at Église Sacré-Coeur, 72 Empire St., and interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, 50 Woodlawn Rd.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations made to the Foyer Richelieu Foundation would be greatly appreciated.
