Raytheon data librarian, prolific gardener, devoted mother and grandmother
Lorraine Packard. (Courtesy photo)
Lorraine Emma (Beloin) Packard, a longtime resident of Harvard, died April 11, 2023, at Emerson Hospital in Concord. She was born June 15, 1927, in Colebrook, New Hampshire, and raised in West Stewartstown, New Hampshire. In 1944 she graduated from Canaan High School. After graduation she moved to Worcester, where she met her future husband, Robert Earl Packard, while roller-skating. The couple moved to Harvard in 1963 and raised three children here.
Before her children were born, she worked a variety of jobs, including at Hughes Aircraft as executive secretary, and later, after her children were old enough to go to school, for 22 years as data librarian at Raytheon Corporation (missile and space division). She had top-secret clearance and was involved with ongoing tests of Patriot air defense missiles. She retired from Raytheon at the age of 68.
Lorraine was inquisitive, mechanical, and creative; she hooked rugs, dyeing and cutting the wool and “painting” pictures of bouquets of gorgeous flowers with her woolen medium. She loved shopping for groceries and a good cup of coffee. She (and Robert) reupholstered furniture and wallpapered like pros. Her country French cooking was flavor-packed, comforting, and delicious. In her garden she grew carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, green beans, squash, lettuce, radishes, and green and red peppers. She learned how to grow vegetables from her father, who was a part-time farmer (among many other things).
Lorraine loved to hear a good human interest story and was a great raconteur, with an exceptional memory for details. She loved late-night chats (she was naturally nocturnal) and before she reentered the workforce, enjoyed watching “the soaps” on TV, and the NBC Tonight Show going back to the days of Steve Allen and Jack Paar.
Chronologically, in addition to New Hampshire and Worcester, she lived in Santa Monica, Culver City, and Buena Park, California; and in Bedford, West Acton, Harvard (for nearly 30 years), Acton, and Dorchester. Her final years were spent in Boxborough. She lived independently until the day before her death at Emerson Hospital (due to congestive heart failure).
She traveled widely, including to Giza, Egypt, to see the pyramids and the Nile River with her friend of more than 50 years, Janice Goodell.
Lorraine leaves her three children: Thomas Packard of West Hollywood, California; Brian Packard of Harvard; and David Packard of North Weymouth; her grandchildren, Luka Packard, Dylan Packard, and Kaya Packard; her younger brother, Raymond Beloin; and her younger sister, Constance Jackson. Her husband, Robert, died in 1999.
Her family and friends remember Lorraine as a loving daughter, caring sister, an excellent student, an outstanding employee, a dedicated wife and mother, an engaging neighbor, a caring aunt, and a loving, involved, grandmother who leaves behind a world enriched by her presence.
Plans for a life celebration are pending.
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