Lorraine Tortessi Reilich

Lorraine Tortessi Reilich, also known as “Rock Rock,” passed away from lung cancer on Nov. 20, 2010.

She was born in Pueblo, Colo., on Sept. 4, 1947, to Sam and Vivian Tortessi.

Lorraine came to California and succeeded at being an independent woman; achieving a bachelor’s of arts degree and a satisfying career in California.

She found the love of her life in Harry Daniel Reil-ich, whom she married in 1978. They were married for 32 happy years, enjoying a long and loving life together. Theirs was a true love story.

They loved flying their plane to Clark Fork, Idaho, where they had a second home and spent part of each year. Having no birth children, Lorraine loved her stepchildren, Eileen and Kenneth, as her own.

In her work, she managed everybody and everything with an iron hand and a dedicated eye to detail.

Wickedly intelligent, vibrantly beautiful, passionate about life, classily stylish, full of joie de vivre, kind, gentle, loyal and encouraging to her many friends, and an avid NFL football fan (Go 49ers!) she will be sorely missed by all of us who loved her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry, by three weeks; and brother, Don Tortessi of Pueblo.

Lorraine is survived by her stepchildren Eileen Reilich and her husband, Peter Lesser of Olympia, Wash., and Ken Reilich and his wife, Simms Reilich of San Diego, Calif.; and cousins Bill and Marilyn McDonald of Marietta, Ga.

Lorraine’s remains will be reunited with her beloved husband Harry when they are inurned together at Fort Rosecrans National Military Cemetery on Jan 14, 2011, at 2 p.m. in Point Loma in San Diego, Calif.

Gifts in Lorraine’s name are greatly appreciated and may be made to Sutter VNA Hospice and www.suttervnaandhospice.org/gifts/ or 1 (800) 541-5045.