Lorraine A. Napier

Lorraine (nee: Wroblewski) Napier, sister, aunt, wife, devoted family member and fierce friend, passed away on May 31, 2025 at the age of 77. 

She resided in Warren, NJ for more than 40 years. A Mass celebrating Lorraine’s life will be held at Saint Rose of Lima RC Church in Short Hills on Friday, June 6, 2025 at 10:30am followed by a luncheon repast. Cremation and interment will be private.

Born March 16, 1948, Lorraine was lovingly raised in Newark and Irvington by her parents, Anthony and Helen Wroblewski (nee: Brzozowski), alongside siblings Marion and Patricia. Together the girls enjoyed bus trips to New York City with their Aunt Stella for shows at Radio City Music Hall, Ringling Bros Circus, and Ice Capades. Lorraine developed a love for farming during vacations on Uncle John’s farm in Blairstown. 

She graduated from Irvington High School in 1965 and Essex County Vocational School for Dental Assistants in 1966. Lorraine married Henry Napier in 1976 and lived in Scotch Plains before settling in her home on Roseland Ave in Warren. Lorraine remained close with Henry’s extended family after their marriage ended in 1986. Although Lorraine started her career with a private practice dentist, she soon qualified for a position with the VA Hospital Dental Clinic. She attended to hundreds of veteran dental patients through her 40+ year tenure in East Orange and Lyons until her 2016 retirement.

 While Lorraine’s ‘day job’ was at the VA, there was always a side hustle. Her 1971 VW Beetle was painted Green and Silver with affixed KOOL Cigarette stickers making it a “Kool Car” advertisement, paying $25/month allowance for gas money! She worked evenings in a nursing home as an assistant, bringing her tweezers and making rounds to ensure no senior woman had stray chin or eyebrow hairs! Lorraine developed her green thumb in a commercial greenhouse preparing poinsettias for sale and she provided catering support for various events. She learned screen-printing at a Branchburg tee-shirt factory where she met longtime companion, Jerry Ofenleger. Warren neighbors recruited Lorraine for seasonal cultivation and retail work with Edward “Skeeter” Kielblock, at Hillview Farms where she worked part-time for more than twenty years training dozens of local teenagers. 

Lorraine was never one to just sit still or binge watch a series. She was a gardener, seamstress, quilter and DIY extraordinaire. During the 80’s and 90’s, if there was a yard sale in a 50-mile radius, she was there looking for the perfect bureau or kitchen gadget, unable to pass by a bargain! She liked to bake and coincidentally had an endless supply of Hillview Farms apples so that she strived for a perfect apple pie recipe while her homemade applesauce filled many a freezer. Lorraine made friends wherever she went, fondly recognized by patients she cared for decades afterwards. Always willing to give a helping hand, provide a place to stay, share recipes, make and mend a hand-sewn article, or deliver homemade signature treats such as lemon squares, biscotti and brownies. She made conversation with a World War 2 vet as easily as the person in line at ShopRite, looking beyond herself and expecting nothing in return. 

Lorraine is survived by her sisters, Marion Gallipoli and Patricia Westbrook, and her brother-in-law, Maurice Gallipoli. Patricia temporarily returned to NJ from Homer, AK and resided with Lorraine for the last five months. Celebrating Lorraine are nieces and nephew: Lisa Gallipoli, Helene Langer, Pete Westbrook Jr and Carolyn Westbrook, plus 2 great-nieces and 1great nephew. She is also survived by the extended Napier family, including Barbara Kobovitch, who was an incredible support to Lorraine throughout her life, especially in the years in which her health had declined. Lorraine looked forward to a heavenly reunion with those who predeceased her including her parents, Helen and Tony, Uncle John, Aunt Stella, Henry Napier, Jerry Ofenleger and other angels. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to the charity of your choice in her memory.