Lorraine Anita Mccorvey

Pioneering Petaluma centenarian Lorraine (Ghisletta) McCorvey passed away on December 1 at the age of 100. Lorraine was born and raised on the family's Chileno Valley dairy. She was the daughter of Olivia Bolla Ghisletta whose Swiss family settled in West Marin in the mid 1800's. Her father, Antonio, emigrated from Switzerland in the late 1800's and was one of the first dairy farmers in the region. Lorraine lived independently until age 98, walked a mile a day and watched over cows and her beloved dog Rowdy. She lived a full and robust life to the very end…bringing smiles to her family and caregivers. Lorraine was the oldest living alum of Laguna School, the one room schoolhouse built in 1906 on the family's dairy. She grew up a true farm girl--chasing cows home to the dairy and then milking them by hand, riding horses like the wind, loading hay and harvesting corn and potatoes from their Laguna de San Antonio farmland. Lorraine loved gardening, horse racing, driving fast cars and baking her famous pies and cookies for family and friends. Though an outdoor tomboy at heart, she was an accomplished dancer, painter, artist, pianist, seamstress and fashionista. She met the love of her life, Marshall (Mac) McCorvey while working at Hamilton Air Force Base in 1945. They were married for 58 years before his death in 2004. She is predeceased by her siblings Isolena Maestretti, Joseph Beretta, Harold Ghisletta and Grace Goldbeck. Lorraine is survived by her son Lex, and daughter-in-law Peggy; grandson Cliff and his wife Julie and great grandson Nolan. Friends and family are invited to attend a Memorial Visitation on Sunday, December 7, 2014 from 1:00 P.M. until 3:00 P.M. at the PARENT-SORENSEN MORTUARY & CREMATORY, 850 Keokuk Street, Petaluma, CA. 94952 In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Hospice of Petaluma, 416 Payran St. Petaluma, or the Laguna School, 2657 Chileno Valley Rd, Petaluma.