Lorraine Marie Ochoa, 58, was called home to our Heavenly Father on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018 after a long, hard-fought battle with cancer. She passed away peacefully at the Health Care Center at Friendship Village in Tempe, Ariz. with family by her side.
Lorraine was born in Globe on Aug. 25, 1960 to Irene Ochoa. She graduated from Globe High School in 1979. As a GHS student, she served as royalty on the homecoming court and cheered as the Tiger mascot at Friday night football games. Also, Lorraine developed a love for music and dance while in high school. Along with her best friend Morris Guzman, she made heads turn on the dance floor as they made their way through disco and the ’80s.
From Globe, Lorraine moved to Mesa in 1982. Quickly she adapted by making friends, networking professionally, and finding work in retail to save money to purchase her first home. Lorraine became a proud homeowner in the mid-’80s and started remodeling as a hobby. It was common to find her painting, hanging ceiling fans, laying tile, or operating power tools to make home improvements. It was just the beginning, as Lorraine sold, purchased, and renovated homes throughout Mesa, Gilbert and Chandler. With every home she lived, Lorraine made upgrades and completed most work herself.
Lorraine loved sports. It was common to find her watching football on Sunday afternoons. She particularly enjoyed viewing her hometown sports teams compete. Lorraine was an avid fan of the Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Mercury and Arizona State University Sun Devils. In her home office, she collected memorabilia representing each of these sports’ teams. Lorraine’s loyalty for the home team was extraordinary.
As a consultant, Lorraine worked for Arizona Office Design. She attracted a large client base and designed innovative office spaces. Lorraine enjoyed her work and loved making her clients happy. She was trusted by her clientele and grew her base of support with her outstanding designs. Not to mention, Lorraine had an impressive work ethic.
Lorraine is survived by her sisters, Roxane Beydler (Terry), Margo Ramos and Debrah Ochoa; brothers, Arthur, Gino (Christy), Adam, Joseph and Nathaniel Ochoa (Tracy), and multiple nieces and nephews.
Lorraine was preceded in death by her mother, Irene Ochoa; brother, Albert Richard Ochoa, and nephew, Otto Downey. She also had a special relationship with her brother-in-law, Ray Ramos, who passed away of cancer on Dec. 1, 2018. In the months before his passing, Lorraine empathized with Ray over the telephone to ease anxiety over the transition between life and death.
Lorraine was loved dearly as a sister, aunt, cousin and friend. Her pleasant smile and exuberant energy will be missed greatly. Lorraine will be remembered for entering a room and making lightbulbs in others go off with her ability to ignite passion for life. In addition, she had great humor, loyalty, enthusiasm, radiance and unconditional love.
Services will be held Jan. 12, 2019 at 1 p.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 1244 S. Power Rd. in Mesa, Ariz. A reception will follow at Mesa Shadows, 205 S. Higley Rd, also in Mesa.
