Verna Loraine Falter

Verna Loraine Falter (neé Fales) of Tucson, Arizona, died from an overwhelming infection on Saturday, July 1, 2017 at the age of 73, following several years of ill health. Born in Snohomish, Washington, Loraine grew up as a logger’s daughter, living in Goldbar and Snohomish, Washington. When she was 12, her family moved to Florence, Oregon in pursuit of her father’s logging career. At 15, the family again moved, this time to Port Orford, Oregon, where she stayed until she graduated from Pacific High School, Class of 1962. While in Port Orford, Loraine met her future husband, Theodore James Falter, a young Coast Guardsman working at the Coast Guard lighthouse near Loraine’s home. They married on February 2, 1963. Married life took her to numerous new homes, in Oregon, Connecticut, New York, Washington, and Virginia, finally retiring to Tucson in 1986. During her lifetime, Loraine had diverse work experiences in addition to her work as a stay at home mother, until ill health prevented her from working outside the home. In later life, she became an accomplished writer, focusing on autobiographical writings, as well as resources to help victims of childhood sexual abuse. Throughout her adult life, she also continued her education, though circumstances and ill health prevented her from earning a college degree. As a child in Snohomish, Loraine had a horse named Champ. She then had another horse in Port Orford, named Roxie, which she used to ride to sneak out on dates with her future husband. Thus began her lifelong love of animals. Loraine also enjoyed playing music, playing piano, clarinet, and oboe during her growing up years, as well as playing piano for her church when she lived in Connecticut. Later, her husband built her an organ, which she joyfully played for many years. Throughout her life, Loraine had a humanitarian spirit. This led her to be a fierce advocate for the weak and the disadvantaged, such as volunteering for a shelter for abused women in Virginia, and volunteering for Youth On Their Own in Tucson. She always stood up for the underdog. She was a deacon in her church, and part of numerous women’s and writers’ groups throughout her life. Loraine is survived by her husband Ted of 54 years, having just celebrated the anniversary of their first date on June 17. Together, they raised two sons: Jeff (Joelle Davis) of Penn Yan NY, and Brian (Lyudmyla) of Columbia SC. Brian predeceased her on January 27 of this year. Her sons gave her five grandchildren: Benjamin, Daniel, and Gregory in New York, and Rebecca and Rachel in South Carolina. Those grandchildren were a source of great joy and pride in her life, as were her two daughters-in-law, whom she considered her daughters. In addition, Loraine dearly loved her nephew and nieces: Keith Fales, Shelley (Chris) Jakovac, and Julie (Terry) Ostrander, as well as their children. Loraine was the last surviving member of her immediate family, having been predeceased by her father Earl Fales (1964), mother Fern (Calapp) Fales (1994), brother Al Fales (1986), and brother Elden Fales (2015). In accordance with her desire, there will be no public memorial service for Loraine. She is being cremated and her ashes placed in the memorial garden at Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Tucson, which they attended for more than thirty years, in a private family service. At some later point, Loraine’s surviving family will gather for a time of remembrance and celebration of Loraine’s life. If anyone wishes to make a memorial donation in Loraine’s honor, the family would welcome donations in her memory to either Casa de Los Ninos, www.casadelosninos.org, or Peppi’s House (Tucson Medical Center Hospice), www.tmcaz.com/hospice. Loraine’s whole family is grateful for the many prayers, calls, and kindnesses in response to her death. In the midst of their grief and loss, such support provides them comfort. Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. — Joshua 1.9