Lorraine M. Aja

BARRE - Lorraine M. Aja, 98, of Barre, VT, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 8, at the Barre Gardens Nursing Home. Born on June 25, 1926, she was the daughter of Harold and Alice (Bisson) White. Lorraine attended St. Monica Catholic School and graduated from Spaulding High School in 1944. After high school, she worked for the New England Telephone Company.
On May 28, 1948, she married Jesus (Jerry) Aja at St. Monica Church. They made their home in Barre, where they raised their three sons: Richard, Mark, and Donavan. While her sons were in school, Lorraine worked at Sprague Electric Company and later at National Life of Vermont, from which she eventually retired.
In 1967, Jerry and Lorraine built a camp in North Hero on Lake Champlain. They enjoyed many years there—ice fishing in the winter and boating and fishing in the summer. After retirement, they spent summers in North Hero and winters in Florida.
Lorraine loved walking along the beaches of Clearwater and Cocoa Beach, collecting colorful seashells. She had a talent for crafting gifts from the shells she gathered, which she loved sharing with family and friends. She also enjoyed playing cards and traveling.
After Jerry passed away in March 2007, Lorraine continued spending winters in Florida with her son Donavan. As her health declined, she moved in with her oldest son, Richard, in Barre. In August 2018, she became a resident of Barre Gardens Nursing Home, where she developed close friendships with the staff—telling each aide they were her "favorite." Seventeen days before her 99th birthday, Lorraine passed away peacefully with her family by her side.
Lorraine was predeceased by her parents, Harold and Alice White; her husband, Jesus Aja; her brother, Conrad White of Barre; her sister, Corienne Pasqual of Burlington; and several brothers- and sisters-in-law.
She is survived by her three sons: Richard and Mark Aja of Branson, MO, and Donavan Aja of Port Charlotte, FL; her sister, Gloria Heininger of Williston; her sister-in-law, Bea White of Barre; and her brother-in-law, Joaquin Aja of Mexico City, Mexico. She is also survived by her granddaughters, Sara Michaud and her husband Aaron of Branson, MO, and Kayla Michaud and her husband Adam of Spokane, WA, along with great-grandchildren Asher, Asa, Kaydam, and Finley.
The family sends a heartfelt thank you to all the staff at Barre Gardens for the love and care Lorraine received over the years.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, August 6, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Monica Church in Barre. A graveside service will follow at Hope Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Lorraine’s memory to St. Monica Church in Barre.
Arrangements are in the care of Pruneau-Polli Funeral Home, located at 58 Summer Street in Barre.
Those wishing to express online condolences may do so at www.pruneaupollifuneralhome.com