Beloved Employee Says Goodbye After 19 Years
Ask any staff member, elder or volunteer at St. John’s Home to describe Lori Lorraine, and it will not take long to sense what she has meant to her work family.
“Priceless.”
“She really is a gem.”
“She’s been a true friend.”
That theme of friendship resonates as Lori retires today after her 19 years as Manager of Volunteer Services at St. John’s. Dozens of fellow employees as well as volunteers and St. John’s Auxiliary members gathered in the auditorium on December 10 to honor her contributions to the St. John’s Organization. Most of those in attendance expressed how Lori has touched their lives on a personal level.
Professionally, Lori has seen a lot throughout her nearly two decades of service at St. John’s Home. “It’s been a fun 19 years,” she said. “It’s been fun to grow with the place.” When she started in 1996, the volunteer-run ice cream shoppe could be found in the South Building. The Hastings Building, where the ice cream shoppe is now located, did not yet exist.
Lori’s time at St. John’s also began prior to the opening of St. John’s Meadows. Soon after Lori started, she hired Jean Loomis to head volunteer services at St. John’s Meadows, a role she still holds today. “Lori has been the best direct supervisor I’ve ever had.” Jean said. That is saying a lot, considering Jean has been with St. John’s for over 40 years! “She’s fair; she’s honest. We’ve always worked really well together.” Jean also spoke of the fun they have had together over the years and the countless friendships she has watched Lori form during her time at St. John’s.
June Stohr also had a lot to say about how Lori has touched her life. “She’s a diamond,” said June, who has lived at St. John’s Home for two years and serves as one of about 500 volunteers throughout the organization. “Lori always has time for you; I don’t care how busy she is. She’s always there, and she always has a smile on her face. We’ll all miss her a lot.”
It is clear that Lori will be missed by countless members of the St. John’s family and the feeling is mutual. “When you ask me what I’ll miss most about it here, I think of all of the special people,” said Lori. “Both our elders who live here as well as all of the volunteers.”