Lorraine Ellen Blain

Lorraine Ellen Blain, known affectionately as Lori, passed away peacefully on November 6, 2025, in Sacramento, California. Born on December 14, 1941, in Sharon, Connecticut, Lori lived a life rich with love, adventure, and an unwavering devotion to those she cherished.

Lori’s journey was one marked by an extraordinary blend of warmth, determination, and an unmistakable spirit of individuality. As a full-time stay-at-home mom and the proud owner of Lori’s Memory Lane, an enchanting antique shop in Beckworth, California. Her entrepreneurial spirit extended beyond one store, with shops located in Virginia City, Nevada, Stockton, and Sonoma, California, where she shared her unique collections with countless admirers. Her love for antiques was only matched by her affection for dogs, whom she cared for and adored throughout her entire life, always embracing their companionship with heartfelt tenderness.

Those who knew Lori remember her as a fiercely loving, caring, and sassy soul. She possessed a distinctive personality: assertive and confident, always knowing what she wanted and fearless in pursuing it. Lori’s great sense of humor brightened every room, and she delighted in playful tricks, bringing laughter to her friends and family alike. Lori embraced life with a passion that was entirely her own, never bending when it came to doing things her way.

Lori found joy in the simple pleasures of life—her fascination with carousels, her fondness for pineapples, and special trips to “her beach” in Hawaii were but a few of her treasured pastimes. She loved to travel far and wide, ever in search of the perfect find to add to her beloved jewelry collection or her eclectic array of antiques. Football Sundays spent watching games alongside her husband, William Blain, were moments filled with camaraderie and shared joy. And when the evenings came, Lori’s playful spirit came alive in spirited games of Farkle with her friends, creating memories cherished by all who gathered around to play.

Above all her accomplishments, Lori’s proudest and most enduring legacy was her family. She is lovingly remembered by her children, Chana Tiegs, David Blain, Suzie Stone, and Mary Blain. Her siblings, Roseanne Losh, Richard Swett, and Evelyn Cinelli, as well as her grandchildren Angela Hedrick, Jeremy Thomason, Suzanne Thomason, Nicole Rodriguez, Tabor Williams, Ashley Colombe, Seth Thomason, Kayla Kralewski, and her great-grandchildren Serenity Rodriguez, Taylor Hedrick, Mason Rodriguez, and Eliseo Kralewski, carry forward her spirit and the enduring warmth she shared so freely.

Lori’s story would not be complete without remembering those who have also passed: her beloved parents, Eleanor (Farley) Swett and Charles H. Swett Jr.; her cherished husband William Blain, whom she was married to for 68 wonderful years; her treasured sister Carolyn Ewing; and her faithful dog Louie. Though no longer with us, their memory remains interwoven with Lori’s, a testament to the deep bonds of love that shaped her life.

Lorraine Ellen Blain’s life was a tapestry of love, laughter, and spirited pursuit. She was a woman who left an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to know her, a beacon of fierce love and joyful living. Her legacy endures in every treasure found, every laugh shared, and every loving moment with family and friends. In every corner of the antique shops she nurtured and in every ripple upon her beach in Hawaii, Lori’s memory will forever linger, unique, sassy, and profoundly loved.