Lorraine Theresa Gaffny

Lorraine Theresa (Lowe) Gaffny passed away peacefully on October 3, 2024 surrounded by her family at her home in Hampton, NH. She was predeceased in 2009 by her husband Edward P. Gaffny, Sr. to whom she was married to for over 60 years. She was born on June 22, 1924 to the late Elizabeth M. (Whalen) and George T. Lowe in Lowell, Massachusetts. She was a graduate of the Lowell High School class of 1943. Growing up through WWII, she supported the war effort as a member of the USO. She did so with great pride as she had 3 brothers in the service at that time. She and her sisters enjoyed going dancing at the Commodore in Lowell, which she remembered fondly as well. This is where she would meet her future husband Ed, whom she married in 1948. She went on to work at Abbott Wooster prior to marriage and later on she worked in the family owned plumbing and heating store, State Line Supply, which they opened in 1977 in Seabrook, NH. She and Ed lived in Methuen and Lawrence for many years and were members of the St. Augustine's parish in Lawrence, MA. They moved to Hampton, New Hampshire in 1977 to be closer to their business. Lorraine and her husband, Edward, enjoyed traveling to Bermuda, Florida, and Europe. They had a condo in Pompano Beach, FL, which they loved going to for many years. She enjoyed summering with her extended family on Plum Island for many years and later on, Hampton Beach, before permanently moving there. She was an avid member at Abenaqui Country Club in Rye, NH for many years. She learned to play tennis later in life but took to it quickly and enjoyed playing. She especially enjoyed playing the net and would later teach her grandchildren to be assertive on the court. She also played golf, platform tennis, and enjoyed bowling at a competitive level. She learned to crochet later as well and would always be seen with a basket of yarn and an afghan in progress on her lap as she watched tennis. She would go on to crochet hundreds of blankets for her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many charities. She had a green thumb and would always swear it was the ocean air, but it was her love and attention as a gardener. She was a fabulous cook and her family always enjoyed her delicious roasts and Christmas bread. Lorraine was a very competitive 45’s player and enjoyed many afternoons playing cards with her family. As a true matriarch, she had a fierce love for her family and was incredibly proud of all of them. Lorraine was predeceased by her 7 beloved brothers and sisters, Helen (Lowe) Finnegan, George Lowe, William Lowe, Carl Lowe, Phyllis (Lowe) Bujnowski, Raymond Lowe, and Warren Lowe. She is survived by her 4 children, Patricia Qualter of Salem, NH, Edward Gaffny, Jr. and his wife, Rosemarie of Salem, NH, Judith Blinn and her husband, Richard of Windham, NH, Bethann Doyle and her husband, Thomas of Danville, NH, and her son in law, James Qualter of Atkinson, NH. She leaves behind 10 grandchildren, Katie (Qualter) Pudil, James Qualter, Shaun Qualter, Erin (Gaffny) Balogh, Edward Gaffny, III, Meghan (Blinn) Tarr, Rebecca (Blinn) Kix, Rory Blinn, Kelly (Doyle) Aceto, Kerry (Doyle) Racki, and over 20 great grandchildren, as well as her sister-in-law, Margaret O'Connell of Methuen, MA. Friends and relatives are invited to A funeral mass that will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the Lady of Miraculous Medal, 289 Lafayette Road, Hampton, NH. Please meet directly at church. A burial will follow in the High Street Cemetery also in Hampton. Memorial contributions may be made in Lorraine’s memory to either St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or to Tunnels to Towers. To send an online condolence or for more information, please go to www.breenfuneralhome.com.

Lorraine Theresa Gaffny

June 22, 1924 - October 3, 2024