Lorraine ‘Lorry’ Inez Osborne

Inez “Lorry” Lorraine Osborne, born Sept. 3, 1927, in Auburn, Ind., to parents Pansy J. Kinsey and Bradford T. Martin, passed from this life on May 27, 2016. After losing her mother at age 2 1/2, Lorry was raised by loving grandparents Frank and Edythe Martin in Fremont, Ind. Upon completing high school, Lorry worked at L.H. Field Company, as the buyer for Coty cosmetics, where she met the love of her life Howard “Buzz” Osborne. Lorry and Buzz married and raised six children: Reed, Lucinda, Michael, Michele, Brian, and Janine. After raising her children to school age, Lorry found her place as a pioneer in the special education movement. Lorry was one in a small group of dedicated individuals who started Multi Cap, the first school for students with multiple disabilities in Jackson County, which later evolved into the Lyle Torrant School. Lorry saw beauty and potential in all children.

Lorry was an active member of St. John’s United Church of Christ where she enjoyed watching her husband, many of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren sing in the choirs. Lorry had a tremendous capacity to love and her life exemplified the power of love, strength, and faith through hard times as well as the good. Among her many talents, Lorry was a Mickey Mouse pancake and pie maker extraordinaire who passed down her coveted recipes to her grandchildren in her handmade cookbooks. Hosting sleepovers with her grandchildren and family gatherings were among Lorry’s favorite things.

A loving and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Lorry was preceded in death by her husband, parents, stepmother Donna Martin, grandparents, and great-grandson Hunter Wallace. Lorry is survived by her six children; grandchildren: Rebekah Hadley, Megan and Sarah Osborne, Kaitlin Browne, Keely Siciliano, Ian Wilson, Emily Trantum, Alicia Wallace, Selena and Chelsey Osborne, Amelia Osborne, and Rachael Osborne; great-grandchildren: Jordan Brabbs, Lyla, Jonathan, Evelyn, and Violet Hadley, Joseph and Andrew Presnell, Salinger and Simone Siciliano, Brannick and Rilynn Wallace, and Aidyn Osborne; daughters-in-law: Tammi England and Jean Osborne; sons-in-law: Harry Wilson and Fred Wessels, and stepson John Osborne.

The family would like to thank Arbor North, Jackson County Medical Care Facility, and Great Lakes Hospice. Family and friends are invited to gather Saturday, June 11 at St. John’s United Church of Christ, 801 S. Mechanic St. Jackson, Mich. The family will receive friends at 9:30 a.m., followed by services at 10:30 am with the Rev. Dr. Patricia Kenney officiating and a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John’s United Church of Christ.

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