Lorraine Zingone of Southampton died on September 8. She was 95.
She was born in Brooklyn on February 21, 1928, to Emil and Pauline Spletzer, immigrants from Germany. She was the youngest of three children.
Throughout her youth, she loved to read and would visit the New York Public Library frequently in search of new books to read. She lost her father at a young age, and started working at the telephone company to help her family. Ahead of her time, she preferred wearing slacks rather than skirts when heading to her job, according to her family.
She and her husband, Guy Zingone, had two children, Lynne Moriarty and Lorne Zingone. She raised her children, and as the children grew older, she began working for the Town of Southampton Justice Court and the DARE program with the Town Police department. She was divorced in the 1980s, and started over with having a home built.
She was active in the community. Zingone frequently visited the Rogers Memorial Library, her second home, always wanting to learn more. She assisted with keeping her local chapter of the National Organization of Women (NOW) going. Also, she was a volunteer with The Retreat, and was very active with the Extension Program.
She had two grandchildren, Matthew and Lisa, whom she regretted not spending more time with, her family said.
She enjoyed spending her time with her family, cooking, baking, gardening, sewing, knitting, crossword puzzles, riding her bike, working at a local organic farm, traveling, and going to the ocean — especially with her son near the end.
She was always there to help people, her family said, noting that she was an excellent listener and always willing to help people in need. She always had an ear to listen to challenges, they said, was always willing to offer advice in a gentle manner and supported her family’s every endeavor. She was kind, honest, helpful, and always made time for everyone, her family said.
A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Association (apdaparkinson.org), Rogers Memorial Library (myrml.org), or the North Sea Fire Department (northseafiredepartment.org).