Lorraine A. Nook

Lorraine Anne Nook, 88, of South Haven, MI passed away on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at Countryside Nursing and Rehabilitation Community in South Haven. She was born on June 16, 1923 in South Haven, MI to Charles and Sarah (Williams) Overton. Lorraine was a 1941 graduate of South Haven High School and earned her BA from St. Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana 1945. She earned a Masters of Arts and Communications from Western Michigan University in 1980.

Lorraine taught English, Speech and Drama at South Haven High School for decades. She also taught college courses at Southwestern Michigan College, Lake Michigan Junior College and The University of Michigan.
She was a volunteer mentor to many prison parolees in Van Buren County who were re-entering the workforce.
She was known affectionately as “Mama Nook” by many students who participated in the many musicals, plays and theatrical productions she directed over 42 years. She was awarded Women of Year, Teacher of the Year, as well as many other career accomplishments.

She was a lifetime member of St. Basil's Catholic Church and served as a Commentator and Eucharistic minister. She also traveled to give communion to those who were sick, hospitalized and homebound. She was involved in the St. Basil's Women’s Auxiliary Guild, Meals on Wheels and other church and civic activities.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband - Lawrence Nook; her son – Michael Nook and her sister – Sarah Jane “Sue” Hamlin of South Haven.

She is survived by her children – Joe (Sherry) Nook of Fremont, Michigan, Chuck (Debbie) Nook of Ft. Collins, Colorado, Tom (Sharon) Nook of Grand Haven, Michigan, Jim (Sally) Nook of South Haven, MI., Nancy (Richard) Stewart of Minneapolis, Minnesota, John (Renee) Nook of Grand Haven, Michigan and Patrick (Kathy) Nook of Parker, Colorado. She is also survived by her brother – Samuel (Beth) Overton of Appleton, WI. and 21 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home. The rosary will be prayed at 7:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be on Thursday, November 3, 2011 at 11:00 AM at St. Basil Catholic Church with Rev. Father Charles Fisher officiating. Burial will take place at Lakeview Cemetery, South Haven. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The South Haven High School Lorraine A. Nook Memorial Fund or to St. Basil Educational Endowment Fund. Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family’s online guestbook at www.FilbrandtFFH.com.

The family is being assisted by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven, 637-0333.