Lorraine Gordon

Lorraine Gordon (née Coid), 66, died peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on Saturday, 7th March 2026 in Tucson, Arizona. She was the loving wife of 46 years to Robert John Gordon and the dear mother of Kelly (Carlos), Sarah, and Mark (Charisse). She was a very proud grandmother to Annaliese, Ellie, and Kian. Lorraine was the beloved niece of the late Sally, Drew, Osbourne, and Jackie, and a cherished cousin to their families.

Born on 20th March 1959 in Belfast, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland, to Rainey and Martha Coid, Lorraine was the second of three daughters, with older sister Heather and younger sister Nicola. She grew up in Glengormley. Lorraine began her nursing career at Belfast City Hospital, where she met her husband John while he was visiting a friend. They married on 23rd June 1979 in a modest and beautiful ceremony that reflected her deep care for her guests. The couple settled first in the Clough area and later in Ballymena. Lorraine earned her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of Ulster and found great fulfilment working on the cardiac community response team at Waveney Hospital in Ballymena. She later took immense pleasure in managing care homes for adults with developmental disabilities.

In 1996, Lorraine and John emigrated from Northern Ireland to Tucson, Arizona, with their three children. Though they lived for periods in Florida, Texas, and Colorado, Tucson remained their home. In the United States, Lorraine continued to serve her community, drawing on her medical background to advocate for the safety and mental health of young children. She retired in 2015.

Lorraine had a vibrant spirit and many talents. She loved singing and karaoke, delivering memorable renditions of Bette Midler’s ‘The Rose’ that could quiet a room, as when she performed at her uncle Drew’s 60th birthday party. A talented artist, especially in drawing, she also inherited her father’s gift of the gab. She and John shared a love of concerts, often meeting the artists afterwards. Outgoing and warm, Lorraine could strike up a conversation with anyone and made friends wherever she went. She cherished travel, particularly to France, Spain, and Puerto Peñasco, Mexico. Wickedly smart, stubborn, loyal, and blessed with a brilliant sense of humour, she loved jokes, fun, and always believed she was right. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.