Lorraine Barbeau Rappaport

Lorraine Barbeau Rappaport, age 91, passed away July 4, 2018, at Hillhaven Nursing Home near Washington, D.C.. She was born February 1, 1927, in Haverhill, MA to Wilfred and Evelyn (Houle) Barbeau. Being of French Canadian heritage, she grew up speaking both French and English, and enjoyed all things French throughout her life. Lorraine was an extrovert who loved to laugh and made friends easily, keeping many life-long friendships.

She attended the Katharine Gibbs School of Secretarial & Executive Training for Educated Women (now Gibbs College) in Boston, MA, which prepared her to work at the United Nations in New York City. While in NYC, she enjoyed living in Greenwich Village and took course work in art at Columbia University. Lorraine loved to travel and sailed to Paris to attend the Sorbonne University, and travel around France and Europe.

Upon returning to the U.S., she moved to California where she met her future husband, Maurice Rappaport M.D. PhD. During their 18 year marriage she supported him in his work as a well-regarded psychiatrist and researcher including his service as president of the California Psychiatric Association, and trustee of the American Psychiatric Association.

Lorraine’s greatest joy was raising their two children Michele (“Mimi”) and Philip. She imbued in them her love for travel and much more. Lorraine later returned to school to earn her B.A.in Psychology from San Jose State University, and her M.A. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Santa Clara. She worked many years as a dedicated counselor to women in transition, children, and adolescents at risk.

In 1996, Lorraine returned to her New England roots, moving to Sandwich, MA to be closer to her brother and his growing family. Lorraine is survived by her daughter Michele Zauche (David) of Silver Spring, MD and her son Philip Lawrence Rappaport of Santa Clara, CA, and her brother Wilfred Barbeau (Melissa) of Barrington, RI, their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held on August 25, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Smith-Mason Funeral Home, 398 Willett Avenue, Riverside, RI 02915. Burial will follow at the Olivet Memorial Park Cemetery in Riverside, RI. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Spasmodic Dysphonia Association at www.Dysphonia.org.

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