Lorraine Helen Drolet

The Prophet by Khalil Gibran

There are those who give a little of the much which they have--and they give it for recognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome.

And there are those who have little and give it all..

These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty.

There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.

And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their baptism.

And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue;

They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space.

Through the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth.



Lorraine Helen Drolet died on September 2, 2021 at Sunrise Assisted Living in Reston, Va. She was the first born child of Francis A. Drolet and Helen Socha Drolet, arriving on February 13, 1937 at their home in Forge Village, Massachusetts. Survivors include her sister Sharon Drolet and Sharon’s husband James Kilpatrick of Vienna, Va ; her brother Kevin B. Drolet and his wife Kathleen FInnegan Drolet of Belgrade, Maine. Cherished above all were her nieces and nephews: Leslie C. Kilpatrick (goddaughter), Andrew D. Kilpatrick (fellow arts, music, and theater lover), Matthew J. Kilpatrick; Brian C. Drolet (godson), and Beth Drolet. As children and as adults, they were Lorraine’s greatest joys and highest achievements. With their spouses, they gave Lorraine another generation of precious children -- Leslie and Shawn’s Aiden and Keegan Fegley, and Matt and Faye’s (Rokyta) Sawyer and Wylder Kilpatrick, all of whom she adored. Other survivors are Lenora Yerkes (Andrew’s spouse) and partner of Brian Drolet (Margaret Maclin), as well as many cousins, godchildren, and friends.

People have always loved Lorraine -- her kindness, her generosity, her sweetness, and her willingness to listen and empathize. Her giving nature as well as a wry and wonderful sense of humor drew people to Lorraine. Diverse comedians from Lucille Ball to Larry David and Seinfeld equally engaged her. Serious and hard working, she enjoyed many friendships both deep and long lasting.

Lorraine was one of those very few people who are generous to a fault. Anyone who knew her, whether in her work or social life, would testify to her outstanding generosity. As a child at Christmas, for example, she would ask her parents to share her gifts with less fortunate relatives. Throughout the rest of her life, she was a year round giver. A devout churchgoer and contributor, Lorraine maintained a strong spiritual life.

Lorraine possessed a remarkably diverse set of talents and interests. She loved to read and to learn, particularly American History and politics; and she was a strong advocate and role model for her nieces and nephews in their scholastic development. In countless ways, Lorraine contributed to their lives. She loved all of them in such a way as to respect their individuality and their missteps as well as their achievements. Children engaged Lorraine’s vivid imagination and together they enjoyed many, as the kids put it, “V-ventures.”

Interests in current events and politics fed Lorraine’s avid curiosity, her intellectualism. They served to enlighten the debate she excitedly entered with friends, family, and in fact anyone who would engage. Although she was sweet, she was strong in asserting her points of view.

Lorraine loved to dance, ski, bicycle, garden, and walk. Even after moving to Landmark Mews in Alexandria, Lorraine could be seen trekking the walkways of Fairlington VIllage many miles daily. She loved music -- show tunes as well as jazz and classical. She frequented music productions and theater, especially enjoying Shakespeare plays with her brother-in-law Jim and nephew Andrew. Lorraine used her beautiful singing voice to costar in many small town adaptations of Broadway musicals in her youth. She loved Lady Gaga, admiring her uniqueness, her talents, and her outstanding success in a male-dominant industry. A highlight in Lorraine’s later years was attending the Kennedy Center performance of Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett. The pairing made perfect sense to noone but Lorraine, for they were two of her favorite artists.

Lorraine possessed a deep love of Fairlington Villages, where she purchased, lived in, then managed a number of properties over the years. Her leadership, determination, and hard work contributed to Fairlington’s recognition as a national historic landmark. Also in the spirit of community giving, Lorraine spent many volunteer hours with an Arlington County team helping non-native speakers learn English.

Lorraine achieved professional status as a civil servant at the Department of Housing and Urban Development after beginning her work life with the Department of the Army at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, continuing at Forts McNair and Myer. During a career spanning over 60 years, Lorraine earned numerous awards for outstanding performance in her role as a Program Analyst. She also earned a degree from American University. After leaving civil service, Lorraine continued similar work as a government contractor with the Aspen Institute and Lockheed Martin. She retired at the age of 78.

A faithful proponent of a strong military and respectful of those in military service, Lorraine chose to be interred at Arlington National Cemetery near the grave of her former husband James Allen, who was a Navy musician.

The disease that took her life stole a lot from Lorraine. But even when she had moved beyond words, there was joy in her eyes when she was visited by her loved ones or treated in a kind way by her caregivers. The love and kindness she brought into the world will be her most lasting legacy.

Those wishing to remember Lorraine may contribute to St. Jude’s Hospital for Children, to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, or to the Alzheimer’s Association.