Lorrayne Marie Bzoch's Obituary
Lorrayne Marie Bzoch passed away on April 17th, 2015. Lorrayne was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 12, 1930 to Bruno and Cecilia Cali, who were both born in Italy. Lorrayne, a devoted Catholic, grew up in Chicago graduating from St. Mary’s Catholic High School and attended Loyola University in Chicago. She moved to Gainesville with the love of her life, Ken, in 1960, who had just been named Chairman of Communicative Disorders at the J. Hillis Miller Health Center, now Shands at UF, when the University of Florida Medical School was being established.
Lorrayne met and fell in love with Kenneth Rudolph Bzoch at a party where he (she thought jokingly) actually got down on one knee and told her he was going to marry her. Little did she know that day that they would be married a year later and spend the next 65 years together.
Lorrayne supported Ken in numerous ways during his career. She typed the many drafts and final copies of Ken’s Ph.D. dissertation. She acted as Ken’s secretary while he served various Officer positions with both the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) and the Florida Speech and Hearing Association (FLASHA). Lorrayne served as President of the Hospital Auxiliary (Pink Ladies). She spent many, many hours volunteering. She particularly enjoyed and was well suited for volunteering in the Family Room at Shands where she assisted, cared for and provided compassion for families awaiting the physician’s report of the outcome of a loved one’s medical procedure. In her later years she worked at the UF Athletic Department Student Ticket office as a ticket agent and quasi-mother to the athletes and students she was surrounded by and interacted with. She raised two children, Kathie and Kevin, with a strong foundation of love that has supported them their entire lifetime. She taught them through example that they and others should commit to doing anything in their power to help loved one’s no matter what the sacrifice or cost. She taught them through example that they and others should defend those who could not defend themselves.
She was small in stature but big in personality, and used many sayings we will remember forever. For instance, if one of us acted the least bit skeptical about her interpretation of a situation, she would lock eyes with us, cross her arms, and say “Trust Me”. End of conversation. She would sometimes throw her arms up in the air and say “This house looks like a cyclone struck it.” But she would be laughing because it meant her grandchildren’s toys were everywhere. She also used to tell us all she was going to sit on us when we were misbehaving (but she never did).Her mantra to us all was “Bzoch’s can do anything!” which gave us confidence and empowered us at an early age. She was the Queen of QVC, calling members of her family at all hours of the day, asking if we needed the sheets, pots and pans or jewelry being featured that hour. One of us just had to casually mention we liked something and before we knew it we would have everything she could think of related to it.
She was devoted to her four granddaughters, Robyn, Karli, Cali and Ann Lorrayne, who all adored her. She was a hands-on grandmother who played with her grandchildren on the floor. She loved to be silly and make them laugh, sometimes getting on the cocktail table and dancing. She helped to raise them, took care of them when they were sick, picked them up from school, drove them endless places made them their favorite foods, supported them at every event and recital and listened to them for hours on end. She imparted her wisdom to them, which they will carry in their hearts the rest of their lives. She made Christmas magical, buying thoughtful gifts, cooking enough food for an army, and making everyone their favorite pie. She wanted to know every detail about her grandchildren’s lives and would have done anything for them. They all loved to hang out at her house where she made many special memories with them, even when they were in high school and college. They felt safe with their grandma who gave them unconditional love.
She leaves behind her loving husband of almost 65 years, Kenneth, her daughter Kathie (Fred), son Kevin (Annie), five granddaughters, Robyn Rowe, Karli Kuhn (Michael), Cali Bzoch, Ann Lorrayne Bzoch and Ashley Shivelbein (Taylor), grandson Peter Southwick, sister-in-law Marlene Cali, niece and Godaughter Jessica Hillerby(Tony), grandniece, Alyssa Hillerby and grandnephew, Matt Hillerby
The last years of her life after her stroke were very challenging for her both physically and emotionally. Our family would like to give special thanks to “The Carol’s” whose love and devotion were endless and who gave her comfort, caring, love and respect during this time, especially Shirley Satcher, Sheila Joshua, Rosetta Williams, Hazel Knue and Doris Glossom. They have become a part of our family.
A Mass of Christian Burial and celebration of her life will be held at Queen of Peace Catholic Church on Friday, May 15th at 3:30pm. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Francis Catholic High School Building Fund or Queen of Peace Catholic Academy. Please visit her memorial page at www.williamsthomasfuneralhome.com.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
WILLIAMS-THOMAS WESTAREA
(352) 376-7556
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