Lorraine Sansone (nee Ottlinghaus), 81, of Lanoka Harbor, New Jersey, formerly of Paterson,

New Jersey, passed away on January 27, 2026 at Community Medical Center, Toms River with

her daughter at her side. After graduating from Eastside High School in Paterson, Lorraine

alternated working various jobs, including chemical research for Witco Corporation while

attending Passaic County Community College, Montclair State University, and Mercy University

before graduating cum laude with a baccalaureate degree in sociology from William Paterson

University. Lorraine was an elementary school teacher at a Catholic school, where she ignited

curiosity and enthusiasm in her students. Loved by her students, she was invited to hit baseballs

during indoor gym class and accidently shattered a window. Later, she was a census taker and

an editor for several local newspapers.

Lorraine enjoyed summers with family and friends at Trojan Lake and Ocean Grove in her

younger years, and often regaled stories of traveling cross-country and throughout Europe with

her close friends. Always a history buff with an expansive vocabulary leading to a distinct

advantage in Scrabble, Lorraine had a wealth of knowledge of unusual facts. “My head is full of

totally useless stuff,” she would say. Witty and intelligent, she possessed the unique ability to

converse with anyone about anything, including topics she knew nothing about. Lorraine loved

her family and friends deeply, and they often turned to her for insight and advice as she carefully

considered various viewpoints and potential outcomes. Lorraine was an avid fan of The

Sopranos, The Godfather, Gone with the Wind, and the Survivor series, and loved peaceful

sunsets, mockingbirds, swans, and the annual arrival of winter shore birds.

A woman of strong conscience, Lorraine often spoke at Lacey Township Committee meetings,

lobbying officials and gaining community support for local environmental issues and was a

member of the Forked River Mountain Coalition. She was later appointed to Lacey Township’s

Board of Adjustment and Planning Board. One of her proudest moments was her success in

creating and leading the grassroots S.A.I.N., Stop All Incineration Now, in the late 1980's. She

and other activists were key in preventing construction of a local garbage incinerator. Lorraine

then proudly served on the Ocean County Solid Waste Advisory Council.

Lorraine is survived by her daughter, Lori Sansone, who adored her beyond measure, her

devoted husband, Dick (Richard) Sansone, loving in-laws and stepdaughter, and other family

and friends. She is reunited with her mother, Irene Chapman, and her beloved German Shepard

Husky, Sarge (affectionately known as Sargie). In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to

the Lacey Food Bank https://laceyfoodbank.org/donate. A celebration of life will take place at a

later date. “You learn to take your joy and spirit from the people around you.” Lorraine Sansone.