LINCOLN, Calif. – Lorraine R. Mercier, 71, of Lincoln, Calif., died of heart failure at Mercy General Hospital, Feb. 10.

Born Lorraine Rose Pomerleau in Lewiston, on July 8, 1933, she was the daughter of Ulric Pomerleau and Eva Lauze, also from the Lewiston-Auburn area. Lorraine and her immediate family moved to California in 1964.

She returned to college at 45, received her nursing degree and baccalaureate at 51 and at such time devoted the remainder of her nursing career to hospice patients and the care of AIDS patients.

In five short years, the State of California recognized and awarded her with Nurse-of-the-Year for Home Health Care. She enjoyed her retirement with her children and grandchildren and spent extensive amounts of time boating and fishing with her family at her beloved Lake Almanor.

Survivors include her daughters, Denise Ahlberg, Doris Griffin and Donna Baker and her son, Dominic Mercier; eight grandchildren, Jaime Ahlberg, Danielle Ahlberg, Joseph Griffin, Molly Griffin, Garrett Baker, Paul Lawson, Kathryn Mercier and Courtney Mercier; three sisters, Anita Dubois, Carmen Dostie Black and Monique Figlietti; and her brother, Lionel Pomerleau.

She was predeceased by her two sons, Dana A. Mercier and David G. Mercier.