Lorraine “Ma” “Mama Smith” Smith was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Joseph and Marion Smith. She was raised in the Whittier Street Projects, where everyone knew to ask, “See if Lorraine is out back.” And chances were, she was.

Lorraine was a proud Boston girl, a “firecracker” as her daughter LaRae called her—outspoken, no-nonsense, and always ready to tell you what she thought. But she also had a big heart and took great pride in the many people and connections she made throughout her life.

Lorraine graduated from Girls High School and went on to do many things. As a young woman, she joined the Archbishop Cushing Cadets, later the Cardinal Cushing Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. She learned to play every instrument, became captain of the Color Guard and later a Majorette. She also danced for more than 15 years at the Mildred Kennedy Dance School with her brother Bobby, where they were known as “The Tap Duo.” She even performed on The Ted Mack Amateur Hour at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

Lorraine worked for the City of Boston at the Tobin Gym, Mission Hill Gym and Cabot Street Bath House, and later worked for New England Telephone, Bell Atlantic, NYNEX and Verizon. She also worked at Jordan Marsh, modeled with Smiler Haynes, cooked, sewed and had a special talent for working with flowers.

But one of Lorraine’s greatest loves was volunteering. Her mother taught her, “Be kind to yourself, volunteer where needed, and love one another.” Lorraine lived those words. She volunteered at countless Boston events, including the Summer and Winter Olympics, Nativity Prep and, for more than 30 years, the Ron Burton Training Village.

At the Training Village, Lorraine answered phones, handled clerical work and greeted the children. Before long, she became the camp mother, and the children lovingly called her Mama Smith.

Lorraine was also a proud member of St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Roxbury and Dorchester, where she served on many committees. Whether at church, with family, or in her community, Lorraine believed in being present. If something needed to be done, she was there.

She was a 43-year breast cancer survivor, a woman of tremendous strength and faith who lived by the words:

“I Walk By Faith, Not By Sight.”

Lorraine leaves to cherish her memory her children, LaRae and Jason Smith; her brother, Bobby Smith; her sister, Helen Ford; her grandchildren, Michael and Kaci Williams, Janiya and Jayla Smith; and a host of nieces, nephews, godchildren, family and close friends.

Lorraine spent her life showing up for people. She loved hard, worked hard, spoke her mind and never needed to be asked twice when someone needed her.

That was Mama Smith. And she was one of a kind.