Lorraine "Lorrie" Wood

Lorraine “Lorrie” Wood passed away on February 20, 2022, at her family’s home in Walpole, surrounded by her loving family and a longtime friend. A longtime resident of Giardini Naxos, Sicily, Lorrie returned to Massachusetts to be with family during her illness.

Lorrie was born in Waltham and moved to Framingham in 1964, the daughter of the late Edward and Vera (Lascari) Wood.  She graduated from Framingham North High School in 1972 and received an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education from Mass Bay Community College.

Lorrie joined the Air Force in 1976, serving in Mississippi, Japan, the Philippines, and California, and she earned the rank of Staff Sergeant before her retirement in 1994. Her military career spanned a time with many glass ceilings to break, and she was proud to be the first female Flight Engineer on the Air Force C5 cargo plane, participating in life-saving supply missions during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Lorrie resumed her career in Early Childhood Education but soon followed her sense of adventure, sailing across the Atlantic and working as crew on sailboats around the world. While researching her roots, Lorrie fell in love with Sicily and settled in Giardini Naxos, in sight of the Mediterranean and Mount Etna. As a certified wine expert, she was drawn to the local vineyards and wine production, and finally achieved her dream of producing her own wine on her small vineyard where she shared the joy of picking and dancing in the grapes with friends. It was there that Lorrie was adopted by Caramella, the puppy that broke into her vineyard and refused to leave.

Lorrie remained connected to the Air Force community, founding an online group for active and former military women to connect, share information and support each other through their shared experiences.

Lorrie especially enjoyed time spent with her nephews, sharing events and milestones throughout their lives. Lorrie will be missed by her family and many friends around the world.

Devoted daughter of the late Edward and Vera (Lascari) Wood.

Caring sister of Linda Wood Norton and her husband, Bill, of Walpole.

Cherished aunt of Ryan Norton, Colin Norton and his fiancé, Elisa, and Craig Norton and his wife, Melissa.

Lorrie’s funeral services will be private at the request of her family, with interment taking place in Saint Stephen’s Cemetery in Framingham, MA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Lorrie’s name may be made to: New England Center and Home for Veterans, 17 Court Street, PO Box 845257, Boston, MA 02284-5257 or at http://nechv.org/give-nechv/tribute-giving/