Lorraine Arnold

Lorraine Arnold

7/24/1937-8/4/2017

Predeceased by her husband Eugene Arnold

Survived by her brother Alan (Heather) Mallanda; daughter Kathryn Arnold; son Jason (Kim) Arnold; grandchildren Cecilia and Nathan; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Lorraine was born in Queens, New York to Lottie and Arthur Mallanda. In 1948 the family moved to Tivoli, NY then on to Red Hook, NY in 1956.

Laurie attended Keuka College where she earned her Registered Nurse degree. In 1959 she married Eugene Arnold and they resided in Syracuse, NY where Laurie began her nursing career. In 1963, her daughter Kathryn was born in Ithaca, NY where Laurie was residing and working as an OB/GYN nurse at Tompkins County Hospital. Laurie worked tirelessly to support her family while her husband was studying for his degree at Cornell University.

In 1968 she gave birth to her son Jason and was able to stay at home with both her children to provide a rich and supportive home environment. She later had some other nursing positions working with Noah Kassman and the Tompkins County Health Department.

Laurie found her true niche and calling when she started working as a school nurse for the Ithaca City School District where she ran the health offices at Ithaca High School, Beverly J. Martin and Fall Creek. She decided to return to school and received her MS, Ed. from SUNY Cortland. She spent many enjoyable years as the only elementary health educator in the Ithaca City School District, providing instruction to all K-5 students in basic first aid, personal safety, puberty and reproduction. Many students vividly remember the times she would visit their classrooms and later approached her in the community to talk excitedly about their memories of her visits.

After retirement, Laurie continued to substitute as a nurse in the Ithaca City School District until she decided it was finally time to truly relax. Laurie and Gene enjoyed travel and took many trips throughout the world. They especially enjoyed their transatlantic cruises and visits to Europe. After Gene passed in 2007, she was still able to do some traveling with her brother Alan and his wife Heather. Heather also introduced Laurie to quilting which Laurie enthusiastically embraced. Each family member was presented with a beautiful quilt she had constructed for them and many of her friends have quilted items that they will be able to enjoy for some time.

Laurie's greatest joy in life was spending time with her grandchildren; Nathan and Cecilia. She kept up with their education and activities through frequent phone calls and cards. She was always thinking of them and especially enjoyed their visits.

Laurie was blessed with an outgoing and generous nature. She made friends wherever she went and maintained a very active social life until the end. People were naturally drawn to her kindness and willingness to listen and advise. She will be dearly missed by her family and extensive network of friends.

In lieu of flowers please make donations in her honor to the general fund of The Galactosemia Foundation at Galactosemia.org Her granddaughter Cecilia has been diagnosed with this rare condition and this fund helps support research into this metabolic disorder and family education to support families raising children with Galactosemia.

The family will welcome friends at Bangs Funeral Home on 10/21/17 from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. This will be followed by a thirty minute remembrance for those wishing to participate. Burial will be scheduled at the convenience of the family.