Lorraine Rudowski, mother, professor, singer, tap dancer, and global traveler died at the home of her daughter in Manassas, Virginia on Tuesday, October 17, 2017.

Mom was born on April 2, 1929 in New Bedford, Massachusetts to Wilfred and Rose St. Clair, the middle child of two sisters, Betty and Shirley. After graduating from high school, mom embarked on a journey of different cultures, religions and many different countries. Our father was a Foreign Service Officer and she traveled the globe with him, raising five children along the way, living in the countries of Laos, Taiwan, Turkey, Thailand and finally Kenya from the years 1963 to 1976. Wherever she went, mom made an impact. She developed swimming programs in all the countries we lived, teaching hundreds of children how to swim or lifeguard. She received an award from the Red Cross for this accomplishment. She also taught school and was assistant director at a teen club in Bangkok, counseling many of the children.

Upon our return from overseas, Lorraine decided to go back to school, earning her nursing degree at George Mason University. From then on, her relationship with the university took flight. She became an instructor of global health studies while counseling students from foreign countries, which turned into accepting a full time position at George Mason as assistant to the Dean of Nursing, Dr. Rita Carty. Rita once mentioned that mom was their secret weapon that made the international nursing program such a success.

Other accomplishments included joining the Army reserve at the age of 60 as well as receiving many awards, among them the George Mason University Margaret C. Howell Award, an award that recognizes those who worked diligently to develop respect, diversity, and support for individual dignity throughout the university and the community. Lorraine finally retired in 2009 from George Mason University at the age of 80.

Our mom’s spirit leaves behind her five children, Daniel and his wife Patricia, Kevin and his wife Julie, Kim and her husband Tommy, Colin and his wife Theresa and Meagan and her boyfriend Tom. She leaves seven grandchildren, Jamie, Jana, Kendra, Chase, Jordan, Tayler and Spencer. She also leaves behind two great-grand children, Ava and Owen.

In celebration of her life, we would like you to join us for a light buffet luncheon at the Baker-Post Funeral Home & Cremation Center, on 10001 Nokesville Rd, Manassas, VA 20110 at 12:00 noon on November 3, 2017. At 2:00pm we will then take a short drive to All Saints Catholic Church, 9300 Stonewall Road, Manassas, VA for a celebratory mass at 2:30pm. Father Noah Morey will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that you send donations to the American Red Cross at http://www.redcross.org/.

Please visit www.bakerpostfh.com to sign the guestbook and for information on her day of celebration.