Lorraine Marie (Kuzo) Kandra
July 11, 1931 - February 18, 2021
Lorraine Marie (Kuzo) Kandra, age 89, of Newark, DE, passed away unexpectedly at Christiana Care Hospital on Thursday, February 18, 2021.
Born in Hazleton, PA on July 11, 1931, Lorraine was a daughter of the late John Kuzo and Helen Vovk Kuzo. She was a graduate of the Harrisburg (PA) School of Nursing and worked as a registered nurse at hospitals in Philadelphia and the Navajo Indian Reservation in New Mexico, and in the Intensive Care Units at Burlington County Memorial Hospital in NJ and Emerson Hospital in MA. In retirement, she volunteered at the Little Sisters of the Poor, Christiana Care Hospital (in the cancer treatment facility and the neonatal unit) and the local blood bank.
Lorraine married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Michael Kandra at St. Peter and Paul Ukranian Catholic Church in Mount Carmel, PA in 1957. She enjoyed life as a Marine officer’s wife overseas before settling in Scranton, PA and later, Medford Lakes, NJ, where she and Michael raised five children. She was an avid bridge player and enjoyed tennis and pickle ball, biking and hiking. Having captained her high school’s cheerleading squad, she never stopped cheering whether for the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies, the Fightin’ Blue Hens or the many sports teams her children and grandchildren played on. Lorraine had a deep appreciation for her Slavic heritage and always looked forward to preparing the traditional Christmas and Easter meals every year. She loved good books and political discussions, Bethany Beach, her church, her dear friends and her family. She will be missed by many and remembered most for her compassion, thoughtfulness and delicious perogies and sumptuous halupke that graced the dinner table of every family celebration.
In addition to her parents, Lorraine was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Michael Kandra, six years ago. She is survived by their five children: Daniel Kandra (Margie), Judy Gorberg (Joe), Louise Moody (David), Karen Mudgett (David) and Michael Kandra (Kim); twelve grandchildren; brothers, Jack Kuzo (Elaine), Joe Kuzo and Ron Kuzo; sister, Debi Siccardi (Ron); and many nieces and nephews.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 9:30 am until 11:30 am on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 800 West Lea Boulevard, Wilmington, DE 19802, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11:30 am. Face masks will be required for all in attendance. Interment will be held in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lorraine’s memory to St. Basil’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 231 Basil Avenue, PO Box 624, Chesapeake City, MD 21915 or Little Sisters of the Poor, 185 Salem Church Road, Newark, DE 19713.
Jeanne Klinger
To Lorraine & Mickey’s children, My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all of you. Your Mother and Dad were one of 4 couples from the class of ’49 of Shamokin High School who married. My husband and I were another. That’s how long we knew each other. They were 2 of the nicest people I have ever known. I know your Mother will be greatly missed.
Karen Jones
To the entire Kandra family, I am so sorry for your loss. May you hold all the loving memories of your wonderful Mom forever in your heart. Peace be with you.
Betty Jones
Heartfelt condolences to the Kandra family at this difficult time. Our daughters grew up together in Medford Lakes. Good memories.
Jean M Johnson
Jean (Opie) Johnson, SHS ’47
So sorry to hear of Lorraine’s passing. I considered her a good friend. We were Cheerleaders together for a couple of years. I always looked forward to visiting with her and Mickey at the Coal Cracker Club Luncheons. Her notes in our Annual Christmas Card exchange will be missed. R.I.P Lorraine.
LuAnn Padden
Kevin, Elizabeth, John, and I are so sorry for the sudden and unexpected loss of Aunt Lorraine. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. Our hearts go out to our cousins – Dan, Judy, Louise, Karen, and Mike – and their families. We will always remember spending the end of June in Bethany Beach with Aunt Lorraine and many Kandra relatives.
Lillian Allen
The Kandra-Allen families met in the summer of 1969. Instant bonding occured we each had five children,Lorraine and I were both nurses, and Mickey and Lorraine became godparents to Vicki, born in 1973.
Even with moves from Medford Lakes, this friendship continued to this day.
Lorraine, I can’t believe that I can’t call to talk with you, or celebrate Veteran’s Day or have pizza nights together.
Joan P McCullen
Your mother was a wonderful person, I will miss her so very much. we did many things together. Thank You for share her with all of us. I know she in Heaver with Micky now. God Bless all of you. Joan
The Iaquinta Family
Mr. Kandra, (Best Teacher Ever)
Although we did not know your beautiful Mom she sounds like a very loved and special woman. It is easy see how you became the person you are today. Please accept our heartfelt condolences to you and your family Mr Kandra, we are praying for peace and comfort to you and your family.
Love,
Abbie Iaquinta and Family
Elizabeth Clause
I only knew Lorraine for three years, when we became neighbors. And while I have and have had many lovely, friendly neighbors, Lorraine was the loveliest and the friendliest. My children wept when I told them that “Miss Lorraine” had passed away. We were always happy to see her storm door shut but with the front door cracked, to show that she was home to visitors, so we could stop by and chat on our way home from a walk around the block. I am going to really miss her. She was a kindred spirit to me and I really admired her, for many things, but especially the way she actively lived out her faith by being a bright light in the world.
Bortnichaks
Lorraine was very happy when she and Mick visited
The Villages Fl. She really like playing Pickleball
and Tennis. We enjoyed their company.
George and Bonnie
Nancy Allinger
I wanted to extend my condolences to Lorraine’s family. I will always think of her as such a sunny person. Her lovely home was filled with sunlight and she seemed to carry that with her.
Jim Allen
Lorraine, who will always be known as Mrs. Kandra to me, was such an important part of my years in Medford Lakes. As my mother noted above, the Kandra and Allen families have enjoyed a strong bond that dates back to the late 1960s and continues to this day. I have many fond memories of time spent in the Kandra house and playing basketball (badly!), doing long jumps, etc. outside their place. While most of my memories are from my friendship with Dan, there were also great times that involved Mrs. and Mr. Kandra directly. They both made the other kids in the neighborhood feel very welcome at their place. I am so sorry that your mother has passed away, Dan, Judy, Louise, Karen, and Mike. She was a great person and a true friend of the Allen family.
Jeanne Kandra
I always admired your mom for her high energy level, positive spirit and boundless compassion for others. Faye and the 4 J’s are distraught for your loss. We will miss her terribly.
Love,
Jeanne
Rev. Volodymyr Klanichka
May our Lord Jesus Christ be near you on this day and Bless you in his gracious way, and may each sympathetic prayer help easy the sorrow that you bear. May She Rest in Peace and her memory be eternal! Vichnaya Pamiat!
Marianne R. Oratorio
Deepest sympathy to Lorraine Kandra’s family as they grieve the loss of a lovely lady. May she rest Peacefully in the Paradise of our Loving God’s Heavenly Kingdom. Marianne R. Oratorio from Saint John-Holy Angles Church