With sadness, we regretfully announce the death of our mother Lorraine Miranda of Rio Dell. She passed away peacefully with her family at her bedside on April 4, 2019 at the age of 81. She was listening to Hawaiian music and prayers, thanks to her grandson Joseph.

Lorraine was born in Olaa, Hawaii on January 8, 1938. She met Les Miranda who was stationed in the Navy at Pearl Harbor. They got married in 1955, and then moved to Rio Dell.

She retired as a unit secretary at Redwood Memorial Hospital. Her Catholic faith was very important to her. She was a eucharistic minister at St. Patrick’s Church in Scotia. She belonged to Catholic Daughters of America, St. Patrick’s Altar Society, Relay for Life, and the Red Hat Society, and was an Area Captain for TOPS. She was an avid Coke collector and loved her Coke!

She loved her visits to the Bay Area to see her children and grandchildren. She also loved visiting her native birthplace in Hawaii.

She is survived by Les Miranda; her three daughters, Debbie Espinola of Los Banos, Laureen O’Connell of Danville and Marie Miranda of San Ramon; her brother John Gomes (Fran) of Brentwood; and brother-in-law Emilio Torres, of Arizona. She is also survived by her grandchildren Krisena, Keena, Michelle and Joseph; and her great-grandchildren Hailey, Kennedy, Megan, Addison, Destiny and Danielle. She has numerous nieces and nephews. Her grandchildren called her “Avo.”

Lorraine is proceeded in death by her parents, Josephine and John Gomes; her sister, Gwendolyn Torres; and her son-in-law, Mike Espinola.

Viewing will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, April 15 followed by the recitation of the Rosary at 7 p.m. at Gobles Fortuna Mortuary. Viewing from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 16 at Gobles Fortuna Mortuary, followed by mass at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Assumption in Ferndale. Reception immediately following mass at the Rio Dell Fire Hall.

Lorraine will be laid to rest with her family at Irvington Memorial Cemetery in Fremont on Saturday, April 20 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations made to Hospice of Humboldt, 3327 Timber Falls Court, Eureka, 95503 or the American Cancer Society, 317 I Street Eureka, 95501.

The family would like to thank Redwood Memorial Hospital, Fortuna Rehab and Wellness Center, and Hospice of Humboldt for the wonderful care provided to our mother.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Lorraine Miranda’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.