Ann Lorraine Polanick

Ann Lorraine Polanick, 96, of Harrisville, passed away Wednesday night at North Hills Passavant Hospital in McCandless.

After almost a century of spry good health, she faded quickly after a stroke, with all her kids and grandchildren around her.

One of seven children, Lorraine was born in Dunkirk and grew up in Trafford. She was feisty, determined, and a talented artist, actress, and homemaker. She raised three children and nurtured her large extended family by refusing to waste anything (including time), and if something was free, she always took two.

As a young woman, she worked double shifts in manufacturing, assembling and inspecting airplane autopilots for the war effort, and sold nylon detergent door-to-door all the way to California. (She almost decided to stay in Hollywood and become a movie star, but came home when the studio riots started.)

In 1946, she met a returning POW named Mike Polanick, who sat down at her table in a dance club and started playing with her nail polish as an excuse to hold her hand.

They married in 1947, and had three children: Laurel Polanick, Mike Polanick and Maria Reder. Mike and Lorraine lived in the house they built by hand for six decades. After he retired from his job at the post office, they spent all their time fixing things around the house and babysitting for their children and grandchildren, and visited Hawaii, Mexico, England, Italy and Germany together.

He preceded her in death in 2010.

She is survived by her three children; six grandchildren: Celanie, Drew, Zane, Brooke, Austin and Brittney; and extended family and friends who will remember her sweet personality, her paper snowflakes, and the fact that she never forgot to say "Thank you."

POLANICK - One-day viewing on Sun., Dec. 4 from noon to 4 p.m. at Jamison Funeral Home, 117 N. Main Street, Harrisville PA 16038.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, 232 Boyers Rd., Harrisville, PA 16038 at 11 a.m. on Mon., Dec. 5. Interment will follow at St. Anthony Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visitingwww.jamisonfuneralhome.com.