Lorraine M. Tratiak

West Springfield – Lorraine (nee Joe) Tratiak passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 27, in West Springfield at the age of 96. Lorraine was born in Miami, FL on February 7, 1928, to James and Mabel (nee Joseph) Joe, the second of four children (Theresa Roberts, Evelyn Thomas, and James Joe, Jr.). The family moved to West Springfield over 75 years ago, and she has resided here ever since. Lorraine attended the College of Our Lady of the Elms then married her husband of 52 years, Michael Tratiak. Together they owned and operated L&M Cleaners in Springfield and later Sandrew’s Cleaners in West Springfield for many years. First and foremost, she loved her family, and was a devoted and capable daughter and daughter-in-law, wife, mother and mother-in-law, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She will be remembered for her kind and gentle nature, her seemingly endless energy, her generosity, her sharp mind, and her quick wit. Lorraine was a voracious reader, talented knitter, and champion Jeopardy and bingo player. There wasn’t a crossword puzzle she couldn’t solve. She expertly tended her garden and loved summer trips to Cape Cod. As the matriarch and center of her family, she opened her home and hosted family gatherings for all occasions. She was a resident of the American Inn in Southwick for 19 years, where she made great friends and participated in numerous activities. Lorraine was predeceased by her husband Michael and her three siblings. She will be missed by her daughters Lori (Jeff) Gettler, Joann (Billy O’Connell) Tratiak, and Lisa Tratiak; grandchildren Carly (Bradley Hancock) Gettler, Abbey (Ted) Koller, and Lucy Doak; and great-grandchildren Quincy Gettler-Hancock and Bennett Koller. Family and friends may call from 10-11am on Thursday, May 2, at Toomey-O’Brien Funeral Home, 1043 Westfield St., West Springfield, where there will be a funeral service at 11am. Interment will be at St. Thomas Cemetery. For additional information, visit toomeyobrien.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Dakin Humane Society in Springfield in honor of Lorraine (donate here).