Heaven had better be ready because there is a new boss coming to town and she is not going to tolerate any nonsense. 

Lorraine Lavertu Hussey, 95, formerly of Hardwick, VT and most recently the Craftsbury Community Care Center in East Craftsbury, passed away peacefully on February 13, 2024 with her loving family by her side.  

She is survived by her six children and spouses: Kevin Hussey and wife Karen of South Hero, VT,  Lisa Hussey Hunt and husband Bill of Morrisville, VT, Patrick Hussey and wife Kelly Robb of  Walden, VT, Andrea Hussey and husband Garey Kreis of East Montpelier, VT, Valerie Hussey of Hardwick, VT and Allison Hussey and husband Chris Porto of Moorehead City, NC. Lorraine was  the proud grandmother of nine, and great grandmother of three.  

She is survived by two sisters, Louise Gallant of Craftsbury Community Care Center, and Andrea (Toby) Herbert of Ticonderoga, NY. She was pre-deceased by her sisters Constance Lavertu  Chapman and Jeannine Lavertu Campbell; and brothers Clermont and Paul Lavertu.  

Lorraine was born in Greensboro Bend on February 21, 1928, to Marie (Fortin) and Joseph Lavertu. Her formative years were spent in both Greensboro and East Hardwick. Lorraine’s family eventually moved to Hardwick and she attended Hardwick Academy, graduating Valedictorian of her class in 1945. Lorraine took cosmetology classes after graduating from high school. She married Raymond Hussey on Sept. 25, 1948 in a double ring ceremony with Clarence and Florence Gallant. Raymond pre-deceased her in 1990 after 42 years of marriage.  

Beginning in 1953, Raymond and Lorraine would have six children over the next 10 years. While raising her family, Lorraine owned and operated Racette’s Dress Shop in Hardwick for over 30  years. She worked six days a week all those years and put each child through college.  

Lorraine ran a thriving retail business. Her organizational skills were unmatched. Her enclycopedic mind knew the sizes of every female who shopped with her. Around Christmas time, husbands would flood into her store at the last minute desperate for gifts. She never failed them, putting together a total wardrobe and then wrapping their packages for free as they waited patiently in the local pub.  

Lorraine loved to read and learn. She devoured newspapers and magazines right up until the time of her passing. Her mind never failed her, she had amazing recall ability for even the most trivial facts and could put a date to them.  

At the age of 66, she sold her business in 1994, retired and continued to devote much of her time volunteering for many local endeavors. For over 20 years she helped run the Hardwick Academy/Hazen Union Alumni Association, personally updating and addressing all those yearly invitations by hand. She never did master any computer skills.  

Lorraine volunteered countless hours at the Hardwick Historical Society and spent time researching and cataloging Hardwick Gazettes dating back to the turn of the century – the last one! She received an award from Vermont Historical Society for her dedication and work in Hardwick. History was a passion for her.  

Lorraine was the unofficial town historian – she knew everyone and every place, and people from far and wide would send her pictures to identify. She would read through old extra copies of the Hardwick Gazette and personally mail people clippings she discovered about their families.  

She spent years researching her family genealogy as well as her husbands and provided organized notebooks to everyone in the family. She was a member of St. Norberts Catholic Church and the American Legion Auxiliary. She was featured on WCAX as a Super Senior.  

Some of her favorite activities were meeting with friends at the American Legion on Friday nights. She loved working with her many friends at the historical society. She enjoyed spending time at her family camp on Caspian Lake in Greensboro during summers. Lorraine loved grilling up a couple quality hot dogs on a sunny Sunday afternoon. She loved conversation, she loved food and just enjoyed talking with people. She simply loved living.  

She enjoyed learning about new things. However, if anyone, at any time, tried to tell her something she knew wasn’t right, well, then they were in for a battle and it wasn’t going to end well for them.  

She was totally committed to anything she did. Lorraine spent Novembers in Florida vacationing with her daughter Lisa’s family. One year, while in Florida with them, Lorraine decided to make  seashell lamps for Christmas gifts. She combed the beach daily for just the right shells and ended up mailing back to Hardwick 72 pounds of seashells for her lamps. Everyone got their lamp for Christmas.  

Lorraine had a zest for life and lived it to the fullest. She was the matriarch of the extended family, and her home was the hub of all holidays and gatherings. She welcomed all into her home and summer camp where there was always laughter, food, drink and camaraderie. Her life was a shining example of a life well lived. Not only will her family miss her, but the town of Hardwick as well.  

Lorraine passed on a day when the nation named a nor’easter storm after her. She had a heart of gold, one that ultimately failed her in the end, and just missed celebrating Valentine’s Day, her daughter’s Val’s birthday and daughter Andrea’s wedding anniversary. Tuesday was Mardi Gras day around the world, and Lorraine, who spoke fluent French, would be the first to say “Laissez les bon temps rouler” - Let the good times roll on. 

The family sends thanks and love to all her caregivers and the staffs at both Copley Hospital and the Craftsbury Community Care Center. Cards of condolences can be mailed to Lisa Hussey Hunt, 4487 Randolph Road, Morrisville, VT 05661.

We will honor her memory with a Catholic Funeral Mass on Saturday, Feb 17th at St. Norbert’s Church, Mary Queen of All Saints Parish in Hardwick at 10:30 a.m. with a luncheon to follow at the American Legion Post #7 in Hardwick.  

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Hardwick Historical Society or Craftsbury Community Care Center. Arrangements are with the des Groseilliers Funeral Home.