Lorraine Rosmarin, a past president of WIZO SA and honorary life vice-chairperson of WIZO Johannesburg, died on Yom Kippur, 27 September. However, her illustrious titles don’t portray the essence of a special lady, according to her WIZO co-workers.
She was known on the committees as “Little Lor”, small in stature, but displaying a determination that belied her size.
She never said no, not to challenges, new ideas, championing the rights of staff members, volunteering for almost everything, and always being present at WIZO functions and those of other organisations, they said.
Only when the matter was important enough did she voice her agreement or objection, always displaying circumspection when it came to idle chatter and comment. But when the subject was one of morality, or choosing the better way forward, Lorraine voiced her considered opinion quietly and forcefully, and that opinion counted.
She was said to have been friendly, loyal, generous to a fault, and will be remembered for so many things, like her love of hosting family and friends, and her sumptuous teas in the sukkah, which WIZO members all looked forward to annually.
Not even chronic knee problems could dissuade her from attending the international WIZO conference in Israel, complete with her three kilogram fruitcake, which she schlepped to her cousin.
Lorraine was valued and loved in WIZO, and will be remembered with great affection. She touched many lives and has left a deep, unfillable void within WIZO, her family, and friends.
