Lorraine Helen Ricker of Alpharetta, Georgia, passed away on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at The Canton Nursing Center, weeks shy of her 92nd birthday.

Lorraine was born in New Haven, Connecticut on September 22, 1932. Having been heavily influenced by her teachers growing up, she pursued a career in education, graduating with two master's degrees from the University of Connecticut. This permitted Lorraine to realize her objective of being a passionate and dedicated educator.

She was a lifelong teacher in the Danbury School System, where she began her career teaching elementary school as a first-grade teacher, then moved on to high school, teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) and Reading. Her caring demeanor and love for teaching were inspirational and had a great impact on her students. She created with them a bond that couldn't be broken, fostering discipline, hard work, perseverance, and a great love for learning! Her legacy was so remarkable, some students remained connected with her throughout the years.

Lorraine was preceded in death by her loving husband of 61 years, Charles Beardsley Ricker; mother, Jane Francis (James Harold) Sundwall; and daughter, Doreen and her husband, Peter Donat.

She leaves behind a legacy of love that will live on through her daughters, Donna (Farid) Najafi of Alpharetta, Georgia, and Debbie (John) Cantamessa of New York; Sons, Michael (Cathy) Borkowski of South Carolina, and Charles (Anita) Ricker of Rhode Island; grandchildren, Trevor, Tara, Tanya, Nina, Lauren, Trisha, Sarah, John, Aharon, Samera, Ashley, and Brian; and 18 precious great-grandchildren.

The caring staff of Darby Funeral Home is honored to serve the Ricker family.