Lorraine Ann Smith

Lorraine Smith passed away on August 6,2024 in Burlingame, California after a short illness.  She was born in 1934 and was raised in Petaluma by her parents, Sidney C. Smith and Catherine Grace Smith.  Lorraine graduated from St. Vincent’s High School in Petaluma and then attended the University of California at Berkeley where she pursued a tri-part major in Psychology, Journalism and English Literature, graduating in 3 ½ years.  At UC she was Senior Night Editor of the Daily Californian student newspaper and a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority.  After a few years as a copywriter in an advertising agency, she attended the University of San Francisco School of Law where, in those days, she was the only female in the law school.  In spite of this, she was elected Secretary of the Student Body and was honored to be named as Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review.  Lorraine was then accepted as a clerk by the Honorable Justice Divine on the California Court of Appeals.  In 1982 she began a private law practice in Burlingame as an Estate Planning Attorney which she continued for over 36 years until shortly before her death.  During the ‘80’s she was not only licensed as an Attorney at Law but also as a Stock Broker, Realtor, Insurance Agent and Registered Investment Advisor.  She lectured on trusts and real estate for over 20 years.  In 2019 she was named as a Lawyer of Distinction for her excellence in Estate Planning Law.  She served on the Board of Directors of the Peninsula Symphony and the Burlingame Historical Society and was a member of the Auxiliary Board of the Peninsula Humane Society.  She served as President of the Burlingame-Hillsborough Neighborhood Club and the Hillsborough Symphony Guild and was Treasurer of the Peninsula Symphony Auxiliary.  Her passions were always her legal practice first, and then gardening and animals.  At one time she had a registered cattery (“Purrdom”) to raise Persian Cats, and her multi-flowered patio was always in full bloom and a sight to behold for visitors.  Survived by cousins, Judy Flohr Giroud of Fair Oaks, Suzanne Wilson of Petaluma, Gregory Wilson of Santa Rosa, Linda Smith Canar of Santa Rosa, Austin Smith of Auburn, Julie Medeiros of Santa Rosa.  Preceded in death by cousins, Beverly C. Wilson, Donald (Jean) Smith, Robert Smith and Claire Healey Fields.     Later in life she discovered other cousins living on the East Coast, Timothy Cothren of New York City, Debbie O’Neal of Westchester New York and Randy Nelson Davis of Vacaville.  And dear friend, Charlie Barboni.  The family wishes to thank Nisa who helped care for Lorraine in her last days.  Private Services will be held.  Contributions in memory of Lorraine should be made to the World Wildlife Fund, 1250 24th Street NW, Washington DC 20037-1175 (worldwildlife.org).