MIDDLEBOROUGH  -  Lorraine M. Reilly of Middleborough, age 88, passed peacefully with her family by her side, after a brief illness on Sunday, March 16, 2025.

Lorraine was born and raised in Westwood, to Amelio and Lorraine Magaletta.  After graduation she worked in Boston until she met and married H. Michael Reilly in 1957.  In 1965, Lorraine and her husband, H. Michael, purchased their first truck starting the business known as Lorraine Horse Trans.  They raised their 4 children in Rockland until their divorce in 1972 when Lorraine and the children moved to Middleborough.  While living in Middleborough, she worked at Maxim Motors and also in the high school nurse’s office.  She was a realtor for Century 21/Fagerberg Realty followed by a long career working for the state of Massachusetts Real Estate Assessor’s Office.

Lorraine so enjoyed people.  She would chat with you wherever she met you because she truly was interested in you.  She always met her visitors at the door with a smile and a hug and you never left her house without a baggie full of cookies.  She loved to help people - come take care of you after surgery, come pick you up at the airport at any time of day, drive her friends to the doctor, even in Boston.  All these things were done with love.  She never used GPS, she didn’t have to because she knew every route, every side road and always preferred the ‘scenic route,’ even if her passenger was in a hurry/almost maddeningly. 

Lorraine enjoyed everything about thoroughbred horse racing.  She was the breeder and owner of thoroughbred racehorse “Mr. Mag,” awarded the 1969, 3-year-old champion by the New England Breeders Thoroughbred Association.  She continued to be involved with horse racing throughout her life.  She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and always had a dog she loved. She had a fun sense of humor and always enjoyed a good laugh.  Willie Nelson was, by far, her favorite musician, with his music bringing her solace in her last hours.

Lorraine literally did the impossible, raising four children completely on her own, and always put them first.  She had struggles, but her children felt only love.  She gave generously and not from excess, but she would not have it any other way.

She loved and was loved by her four children: Laurie Reilly and her partner Chip of South Weymouth, Michael Reilly and his wife Chris of Pembroke, Diane O’Connell and her husband Matt of Marshfield, Jacquelyn Kang and her husband Eugene of Amherst. Her 7 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren brought her great joy: Michael (Emily) Reilly and their 3 children (Cami, Adam and Mason) of Arvada, CO, Tara (Naren) Patel and their 3 children (Aria, Bodhi and Veer) of Waunakee, WI, Pat (Olivia) Reilly and their son (Forest) of Quincy, Brian Reilly of Philadelphia, PA, Kayleigh (Nathan) Stewart and their 3 children (Graham, Henry and Jillian) of Marshfield, Matthew (Maxine) O’Connell and their 2 children (Brooks and Quinn) of Marshfield and Reilly (Jim) Rogers of Scituate, Conrad and Katherine Kang of Amherst.

All are invited to the Wake at the Ashley Funeral Home, 35 Oak Street, Middleborough, on Thursday, March 20, 2025, from 4:00-8:00 PM.

Family and friends are welcome to gather at the Ashley Funeral Home, Middleborough, on Friday, March 21, 2025, starting at 9:45 AM, followed by Lorraine's Funeral Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Isidore Parish, Sacred Heart Church, 340 Centre Street, Middleborough, at 10:30 AM. 

Interment services will be at the Old Westwood Cemetery, 850 High Street, (High Street @ Nahatan Street), Westwood, on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Buddy & Friends Animal Rescue, Buddy and Friends Animal Rescue.

For online condolences and directions, please visit our website: www.ashleydrolettefuneralhome.com

ASHLEY  FUNERAL  HOME
MIDDLEBOROUGH
508-947-3600